Species

Wt. *

Hardness

Strength

Splits
Easily

Dimensional
Stability

Decay
Resistant

Typical Application

ASH, Black

39 1/2

Medium

Medium

Moderate

Good

Moderate

Handles, dowels, blocks, balls, lamp parts.

ASH, While

41

Hard

High

Moderate

Good

Moderate

Rollers, handles, long dowels, athletic equipment.

ASPEN

25

Soft

Medium

No

Good

No

Light-weight use: dowels; plus for pipes, masking.

BASSWOOD

26

Soft

Low

No

Good

No

Light-weight use; nails easily; novelties, mouldings.

BEECH

45

Hard

High

Yes

Fair

No

Substitute for hard maple; distillation.

BIRCH, White

36

Medium

Medium

No

Good

Moderate

Fine turning wood: spools, dowels.

BIRCH, Yellow

44

Hard

High

No

Good

No

Finishes beautifully; bobbins, mouldings, lab equipment.

CHERRY

35

Medium

High

Moderate

Excellent

Moderate

Furniture, food paddles, printing blocks, patterns.

CYPRESS

32

Soft

Medium

Yes

Good

High

Good for outdoor use: tanks, chemical plants.

ELM, Rock

44

Hard

High

No

Good

Moderate

Excellent for rollers, blocks, handles, farm implements.

ELM, Soft

37

Medium

Medium

No

Good

No

Bends, nails easily: aviary, poultry equipment; sporting goods.

FIR

34

Medium

High

Yes

Fair

Moderate

Good construction lumber; tong softwood dowels.

GUM. Black

35

Soft

Medium

No

Fair

No

Bores nicely; rollers, handles, bushings, implements.

GUM, Red

35

Soft

Medium

No

Fair

No

Intricate turnings: furniture parts, wedges, bushings.

HICKORY

5I

Very Hard

High

Moderate

Fair

No

Heavy duty tool handles, foundry blocks, wedges.

MAPLE, Hard

44

Very Hard

High

Yes

Good

Moderate

Resists abrasion; hearings, blocks, faucets, handles.

MAPLE, Soft

33

Hard

High

No

Fair

Moderate

Spool hubs, furniture frames, novelties.

OAK. Red

44

Very Hard

High

Moderate

Good

Moderate

Butcher Blocks, rollers, agricultural implements.

OAK. White

47

Very Hard

High

Moderate

Good

Moderate

Heavy rollers, plugs., tool handles, agricultural implements

PINE. White

27

Soft

Low

Yes

Excellent

Moderate

Architectural designs, mouldings, models, patterns.

POPLAR. Yellow

28

Soft

Medium

Moderate

Fair

No

Display for fixtures, lamp parts, musical Instruments.

REDWOOD

28

Soft

Medium

No

Good

High

Good for outdoor use: tanks, mouldings.

SYCAMORE

34

Hard

Medium

No

Fair

Moderate

Butchers blocks, rollers, scientific instruments.

WALNUT

38

Hard

High

Moderate

Excellent

Moderate

Trophy basis; display, lamp and furniture parts.