The Wood Database

†These strength/shrinkage values were taken from only one source,^[1]Gérard, J., Guibal, D., Paradis, S., & Cerre, J. C. (2017). Tropical timber atlas: technological characteristics and uses. éditions Quæ. p 129. which refers more broadly to “Asian black ebony” as a species grouping. The MOR value in particular seems abnormally high for ebony.

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a jet black, sometimes with reddish brown or purplish streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow to pink, and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. Ironically, the very best quality ebony looks like black plastic.

Grain/Texture: Grain is typically straight or sometimes irregular, with a fine, uniform texture. Has a high level of natural luster.

Rot Resistance: Portions of black heartwood are very durable regarding decay resistance.

Workability: Overall difficult to work on account of its density and strong blunting effect on cutting edges. Can be difficult to dry, with checks or other drying defects developing. Can be difficult to glue, with one study^[2]Narayanamurti, D. (1957). Die Bedeutung der Holzextraktstoffe. Holz als Roh-und Werkstoff, 15(9), 370-380.^[3]Chunsi, K. S. (1973). The gluability of certain hardwoods from Burma (Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia). that mentioned the extractives of Diospyros melanoxylon causing weaker glue joints—even observing a transmission of this weakness to other species when treating them with extractives from this ebony. Ebony turns superbly, and takes a very high natural polish.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, ebony in the Diospyros genus has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Although Coromandel ebony was one of the original ebonies of commerce (along with Diospyros ebenum), it’s seldom available today. Expect prices to be very high, and availability to be very scarce. Other ebonies such as Gaboon or Macassar are more commonly available, though both are also very expensive.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, is currently not evaluated by the IUCN for inclusion on the Red List. This absence of any evaluation is notable, as Coromandel ebony was a historically exploited commercial species, and the IUCN has evaluated several hundred Diospyros species, including many other species that have been harvested and used for ebony. (Perhaps an evaluation is pending, as the closely related D. ebenum is listed as Data Deficient and has not been updated since 1998.)

Common Uses: Inlay, carving, musical instrument parts (piano keys, bridges, nuts, etc.), and turned objects.

Comments: Closely related to Ceylon ebony , both woods are also sometimes referred to as East Indian ebony or simply Indian ebony.
Not to be confused with African blackwood, whose scientific name (Dalbergia melanoxylon) is sometimes confused with Coromandel ebony (Diospyros melanoxylon).^[4]Both the 2010 and 2021 editions of the USDA’s Wood Handbook contain a typo in section 3-3 referring to African blackwood as Diospyros melanoxylon. Despite its jet-black heartwood, African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) is actually more correctly a rosewood than an ebony, though in practice it really is one of the best “ebony” species.
The Latin melanoxlyon comes from the Greek melano which means black, and xylon which means wood. Species names can be re-used in a lot of different genera. For instance, rubra means red, so you can have red oak (Quercus rubra) or red elm (Ulmus rubra)—both use the same rubra species name but are in unrelated genera.

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

A special thanks to Steve Earis for providing the wood sample (veneer) of this wood species.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Do you have images of projects made from this wood species? You can submit them to me here.

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Porosity: diffuse porous; growth rings sometimes subtly discernible due to decrease in pore frequency in latewood

Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples

Vessels: medium to large, few to moderately numerous

Parenchyma: diffuse-in-aggregates

Rays: narrow to medium width, normal spacing; rays are just barely visible without magnification

Lookalikes/Substitutes: None.

Notes: None.

> Hardwoods > Ebenaceae > Diospyros > Related Species

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

Ebony: Dark Outlook for Dark Woods?Learn what makes dark woods like ebony so expensive, as well as future availability, and possible substitutes.

Gluing Oily Tropical Hardwoods What do you do when the wood you’re working with seems impervious to moisture?

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

References[+]

References
↑1	Gérard, J., Guibal, D., Paradis, S., & Cerre, J. C. (2017). Tropical timber atlas: technological characteristics and uses. éditions Quæ. p 129.
↑2	Narayanamurti, D. (1957). Die Bedeutung der Holzextraktstoffe. Holz als Roh-und Werkstoff, 15(9), 370-380.
↑3	Chunsi, K. S. (1973). The gluability of certain hardwoods from Burma (Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia).
↑4	Both the 2010 and 2021 editions of the USDA’s Wood Handbook contain a typo in section 3-3 referring to African blackwood as Diospyros melanoxylon.

The post Coromandel Ebony appeared first on The Wood Database.

Yellow Lapacho

Eric — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:18:25 +0000

> Hardwoods > Bignoniaceae > Handroanthus > ochraceus

DATA SOURCE(S): 39

Yellow lapacho (Handroanthus ochraceus)

Common Name(s): Yellow lapacho, ipe amarelo, yellow trumpet tree, corteza amarilla

Scientific Name: Handroanthus ochraceus, still commonly listed under the older synonym Tabebuia ochracea

Distribution:

Tree Size: 50-80 ft (15-24 m) tall,

1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 68.7 lbs/ft³ (1,100 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .91, 1.10

Janka Hardness: 2,590 lb_f (11,500 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 23,580 lb_f/in² (162.6 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 2,252,000 lb_f/in² (15.53 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 12,250 lb_f/in² (84.5 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 4.0%, Tangential: 5.5%,

Volumetric: 10.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.4

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be medium to dark brown; sometimes with contrasting darker brown/black stripes. Yellow lapacho’s name derives from the color of its flowers, not the color of its heartwood. Overall appearance can be very similar to cumaru (Dipteryx odorata).

Grain/Texture: Has a fine to medium texture, with the grain varying from straight to irregular or interlocked. Moderate natural luster.

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable; with excellent insect resistance.

Workability: Overall, yellow lapacho is a difficult wood to work, being extremely hard and dense, with high cutting resistance during sawing. It also has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges. The wood generally planes smoothly, but the grain can tearout on interlocked areas. Also, yellow lapacho can be difficult to glue properly, and surface preparation prior to gluing is recommended. Straight-grained wood turns well, though the natural powdery yellow deposits (called lapachol) can sometimes interfere with polishing or finishing the wood.

Odor: Yellow lapacho has a mild scent while being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity: Many Handroanthus species contain lapachol (and related substances like lapachenole and deoxylapachol), which have been observed to produce pronounced irritant responses on skin.^[1]Schulz, K. H., Garbe, I., Hausen, B. M., & Simatupang, M. H. (1977). The sensitizing capacity of naturally occurring quinones. Experimental studies in guinea pigs. I. Naphthoquinones and related … Continue reading Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Handroanthus species have been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as headaches, asthma-like symptoms,^[2]Algranti, E., Mendonça, E. M., Ali, S. A., Kokron, C. M., & Raile, V. (2005). Occupational asthma caused by Ipe (Tabebuia spp) dust. Journal of investigational allergology & clinical … Continue reading and/or disturbance of vision. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Primarily sold as decking or flooring, individual boards for furniture or general use are sometimes available as well. Prices are in the medium range for an imported tropical species. Though with ipe’s 2024 listing in the CITES Appendix II, availability is expected to steadily diminish, and prices to increase.

Sustainability: Yellow lapacho is listed in the CITES Appendix II under a blanket restriction spanning multiple genera (including Handroanthus, Tabebuia, and Roseodendron). However, Handroanthus ochraceus in particular is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern.
But aside from the immediacy of any threats to Handroanthus, these tree species tend to grow in very low densities, with mature trees only occurring once per 300,000 to 1,000,000 square feet (3 to 10 hectares) of forest area. This necessitates the clearing of large sections of rainforest trees, most of which, after factoring in the cost of transportation, have little to no commercial value.^[3]Hutton, J. (2013). A Trail of Stumps. Landscape Architecture Magazine, 103(5), 117-126.

Common Uses: Flooring, decking, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects.

Comments: Yellow lapacho (Handroanthus ochraceus) is sometimes harvested and sold along with the more common species like H. serratifolius and H. impetiginosus under the generic commercial name ipe, though the lumber is usually referred to by the halo name ‘Brazilian walnut’ among flooring dealers—but it’s not related to true walnut in the Juglans genus.
Formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus, species of ipe (H. guayacan, H. impetiginosus, H. serratifolius) were moved to the Handroanthus genus in 2007 based on genetic studies.^[4]Grose, S. O., & Olmstead, R. G. (2007). Evolution of a charismatic neotropical clade: Molecular phylogeny of Tabebuia sl, Crescentieae, and allied genera (Bignoniaceae). Systematic … Continue reading
While Brazil exports the majority of commercial ipe, other regions also have Handroanthus species yielding similar lumber, though they are less commonly exported. When used locally, Handroanthus and Tabebuia trees are very highly regarded (several are included as national trees in their native habitat, including the nations of Paraguay, Venezula, and El Salvador). In this context, they are usually distinguished by the color of their very dramatic and widespread trumpet-like flowers, and are sometimes referred to as trumpet trees. Common flower colors include yellow (H. serratifolius and H. guayacan) and pink (H. impetiginosus and H. heptaphyllus).

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

This sample was originally labeled as Tabebuia heterotricha, later shown to be a subspecies of yellow lapacho (Handroanthus ochraceus ssp. heterotrichus).

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Do you have images of projects made from this wood species? You can submit them to me here.

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Yellow lapacho (endgrain 10x)

Yellow lapacho (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: diffuse porous; growth rings not visible

Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples

Vessels: medium to large, few to moderately numerous; tyloses and other colored mineral deposits common

Parenchyma: visible parenchyma is usually minimal, but can be unilateral, winged, and marginal

Rays: narrow, normal spacing; rays not visible without magnification

Lookalikes/Substitutes: Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata), is another dense South American timber with very similar appearance and anatomy. However, cumaru tends to be slightly lighter in color, and has a characteristic vanilla/cinnamon scent while being worked (in contrast, ipe tends to have a more resinous odor).

Notes: None.

> Hardwoods > Bignoniaceae > Handroanthus > Related Species

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

Restricted and Endangered Wood Species From CITES appendices to IUCN status, what you need to know about today’s wood situation.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

Halo Woods (and Shady Naming Practices) Well known woods can have their “brand recognition” stolen by unknown newcomers.

Ebony: Dark Outlook for Dark Woods?Learn what makes dark woods like ebony so expensive, as well as future availability, and possible substitutes.

Gluing Oily Tropical Hardwoods What do you do when the wood you’re working with seems impervious to moisture?

Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods Nearly all wood tends to turn brown over time. Here’s what you can do to maintain color longer.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

National and State Trees Do you know which tree your state/country has selected to be its official emblem?

References[+]

References
↑1	Schulz, K. H., Garbe, I., Hausen, B. M., & Simatupang, M. H. (1977). The sensitizing capacity of naturally occurring quinones. Experimental studies in guinea pigs. I. Naphthoquinones and related compounds. Archiv fur dermatologische Forschung, 258(1), 41–52.
↑2	Algranti, E., Mendonça, E. M., Ali, S. A., Kokron, C. M., & Raile, V. (2005). Occupational asthma caused by Ipe (Tabebuia spp) dust. Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology, 15(1), 81–83.
↑3	Hutton, J. (2013). A Trail of Stumps. Landscape Architecture Magazine, 103(5), 117-126.
↑4	Grose, S. O., & Olmstead, R. G. (2007). Evolution of a charismatic neotropical clade: Molecular phylogeny of Tabebuia sl, Crescentieae, and allied genera (Bignoniaceae). Systematic Botany, 32(3), 650-659.

The post Yellow Lapacho appeared first on The Wood Database.

Pink Lapacho

Eric — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:26:23 +0000

> Hardwoods > Bignoniaceae > Handroanthus > impetiginosus

DATA SOURCE(S): 20,28,30,39

Pink lapacho (Handroanthus impetiginosa)

Common Name(s): Pink lapacho, ipe, pink trumpet tree

Scientific Name: Handroanthus impetiginosus, formerly in the Tabebuia genus as Tabebuia impetiginosa; T. palmeri is another common synonym of this species

Distribution: Mexico, south to Central and South America

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall,

1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 59.9 lbs/ft³ (960 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .89, .96

Janka Hardness: 2,660 lb_f (11,850 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 23,210 lb_f/in² (160.1 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 2,773,000 lb_f/in² (19.13 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 10,600 lb_f/in² (73.1 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 4.3%, Tangential: 7.2%,

Volumetric: 11.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.7

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be medium to dark brown; sometimes with contrasting darker brown/black stripes. Pink lapacho’s name derives from the color of its flowers, not the color of its heartwood. Overall appearance can be very similar to cumaru (Dipteryx odorata).

Grain/Texture: Has a fine to medium texture, with the grain varying from straight to irregular or interlocked. Moderate natural luster.

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable; with excellent insect resistance.

Workability: Overall, pink lapacho is a difficult wood to work, being extremely hard and dense, with high cutting resistance during sawing. It also has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges. The wood generally planes smoothly, but the grain can tearout on interlocked areas. Also, pink lapacho can be difficult to glue properly, and surface preparation prior to gluing is recommended. Straight-grained wood turns well, though the natural powdery yellow deposits (called lapachol) can sometimes interfere with polishing or finishing the wood.

Odor: Pink lapacho has a mild scent while being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity: Many Handroanthus species contain lapachol (and related substances like lapachenole and deoxylapachol), which have been observed to produce pronounced irritant responses on skin.^[1]Schulz, K. H., Garbe, I., Hausen, B. M., & Simatupang, M. H. (1977). The sensitizing capacity of naturally occurring quinones. Experimental studies in guinea pigs. I. Naphthoquinones and related … Continue reading Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Handroanthus species have been reported to cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, as well as other effects such as headaches, asthma-like symptoms,^[2]Algranti, E., Mendonça, E. M., Ali, S. A., Kokron, C. M., & Raile, V. (2005). Occupational asthma caused by Ipe (Tabebuia spp) dust. Journal of investigational allergology & clinical … Continue reading and/or disturbance of vision. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Primarily sold as decking or flooring, individual boards for furniture or general use are sometimes available as well. Prices are in the medium range for an imported tropical species. Though with ipe’s 2024 listing in the CITES Appendix II, availability is expected to steadily diminish, and prices to increase.

Sustainability: Pink lapacho is listed in the CITES Appendix II under a blanket restriction spanning multiple genera (including Handroanthus, Tabebuia, and Roseodendron). Handroanthus impetiginosus is also reported by the IUCN as being near threatened. Technically it doesn’t meet the Red List criteria of a vulnerable or endangered species, but is close to qualifying and/or may qualify in the near future.
But aside from the immediacy of any threats to Handroanthus, these tree species tend to grow in very low densities, with mature trees only occurring once per 300,000 to 1,000,000 square feet (3 to 10 hectares) of forest area. This necessitates the clearing of large sections of rainforest trees, most of which, after factoring in the cost of transportation, have little to no commercial value.^[3]Hutton, J. (2013). A Trail of Stumps. Landscape Architecture Magazine, 103(5), 117-126.

Common Uses: Flooring, decking, exterior lumber, veneer, tool handles, and other turned objects.

Comments: Pink lapacho (Handroanthus impetiginosus) is harvested and sold interchangeably with H. serratifolius under the generic commercial name ipe, though the lumber is usually referred to by the halo name ‘Brazilian walnut’ among flooring dealers—but it’s not related to true walnut in the Juglans genus. When compared to the more widely harvested H. serratifolius, the wood of H. impetiginosus tends to be slightly lighter in weight, and accordingly slightly weaker, on average, in nearly all mechanical measurements.
Formerly placed in the Tabebuia genus, species of ipe (H. guayacan, H. impetiginosus, H. serratifolius) were moved to the Handroanthus genus in 2007 based on genetic studies.^[4]Grose, S. O., & Olmstead, R. G. (2007). Evolution of a charismatic neotropical clade: Molecular phylogeny of Tabebuia sl, Crescentieae, and allied genera (Bignoniaceae). Systematic … Continue reading
While Brazil exports the majority of commercial ipe, other regions also have Handroanthus species yielding similar lumber, though they are less commonly exported. When used locally, Handroanthus and Tabebuia trees are very highly regarded (several are included as national trees in their native habitat, including the nations of Paraguay, Venezula, and El Salvador). In this context, they are usually distinguished by the color of their very dramatic and widespread trumpet-like flowers, and are sometimes referred to as trumpet trees. Common flower colors include yellow (H. serratifolius and H. guayacan) and pink (H. impetiginosus and H. heptaphyllus).

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

The first sample is Handroanthus impetiginosus, while the second sample (with sapwood) was originally labeled as Tabebuia palmeri—later classified as a synonym of H. impetiginosus.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Do you have images of projects made from this wood species? You can submit them to me here.

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Pink lapacho (endgrain 10x)

Pink lapacho (endgrain 1x)

Tabebuia palmeri (endgrain 10x)

Tabebuia palmeri (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: diffuse porous; growth rings not visible

Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples

Vessels: medium to large, few to moderately numerous; tyloses and other colored mineral deposits common

Parenchyma: visible parenchyma is usually minimal, but can be unilateral, winged, and marginal

Rays: narrow, normal spacing; rays not visible without magnification

Notes: None.

> Hardwoods > Bignoniaceae > Handroanthus > Related Species

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

Restricted and Endangered Wood Species From CITES appendices to IUCN status, what you need to know about today’s wood situation.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

Halo Woods (and Shady Naming Practices) Well known woods can have their “brand recognition” stolen by unknown newcomers.

Ebony: Dark Outlook for Dark Woods?Learn what makes dark woods like ebony so expensive, as well as future availability, and possible substitutes.

Gluing Oily Tropical Hardwoods What do you do when the wood you’re working with seems impervious to moisture?

Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods Nearly all wood tends to turn brown over time. Here’s what you can do to maintain color longer.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

National and State Trees Do you know which tree your state/country has selected to be its official emblem?

References[+]

References
↑1	Schulz, K. H., Garbe, I., Hausen, B. M., & Simatupang, M. H. (1977). The sensitizing capacity of naturally occurring quinones. Experimental studies in guinea pigs. I. Naphthoquinones and related compounds. Archiv fur dermatologische Forschung, 258(1), 41–52.
↑2	Algranti, E., Mendonça, E. M., Ali, S. A., Kokron, C. M., & Raile, V. (2005). Occupational asthma caused by Ipe (Tabebuia spp) dust. Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology, 15(1), 81–83.
↑3	Hutton, J. (2013). A Trail of Stumps. Landscape Architecture Magazine, 103(5), 117-126.
↑4	Grose, S. O., & Olmstead, R. G. (2007). Evolution of a charismatic neotropical clade: Molecular phylogeny of Tabebuia sl, Crescentieae, and allied genera (Bignoniaceae). Systematic Botany, 32(3), 650-659.

The post Pink Lapacho appeared first on The Wood Database.

Soto

Eric — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 18:38:25 +0000

> Hardwoods > Anacardiaceae > Schinopsis > brasiliensis

DATA SOURCE(S): 27,36

Quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii)

Common Name(s): Soto, barauna, quebracho colorado

Scientific Name: Schinopsis brasiliensis

Distribution: South America (primarily Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay)

Tree Size: 40-50 ft (12-15 m) tall,

1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 79.9 lbs/ft³ (1,280 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): 1.14, 1.28

Janka Hardness: 3,650 lb_f (16,240 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 21,560 lb_f/in² (148.7 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 2,276,000 lb_f/in² (15.69 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 11,850 lb_f/in² (81.7 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 5.3%, Tangential: 10.3%,

Volumetric: 16.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood color typically a light to medium reddish brown, sometimes with darker blackish streaks. Color darkens upon prolonged exposure to light. Pale yellow sapwood distinct from heartwood, though transition is gradual. Can have moderate ribbon figure on quartersawn surfaces due to interlocked/roey grain. Overall appearance can resemble genuine mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla).

Grain/Texture: Quebracho has a fine, uniform texture with a high natural luster. Grain tends to be irregular, roey, and interlocked.

Rot Resistance: Quebracho is rated as very durable, and is also resistant to insect attacks. Quebracho also has good weathering characteristics.

Workability: Difficult to work on account of its density and irregular grain. High cutting resistance, as well as pronounced blunting effect on cutters. Dries slowly—and tends to crack, check, and warp while drying. Turns and finishes well, and also able to take on a high natural polish without any finishing agents.

Odor: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species, though it is reported to have a bitter taste.

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, quebracho has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions include skin and respiratory irritation, as well as nausea. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Very seldom available in North America, quebracho is much more commonly harvested and processed for its natural tanins, or minimally-processed and used locally in heavy construction. Small log sections, craft blanks, or sawn lumber can sometimes be found on a limited basis. Expect prices to be in the medium to high range for an imported hardwood.

Sustainability: Quebracho is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and the IUCN reports that Schinopsis brasiliensis is a species of least concern. However, this IUCN evaluation dates back to 1998 and is in need of updating.

Common Uses: Due its difficult workability, quebracho tends to be minimally processed. Local uses include heavy construction timbers, railroad cross-ties, and fence posts. When exported, uses include furniture, carvings, and turned objects.

Comments: Unlike the other two primary commercial Schinopsis species yielding quebracho wood (S. balansae and S. lorentzii), soto primarily occurs in Brazil, hence its specific epithet: brasiliensis. Accordingly, many of its common names are Portuguese rather than Spanish.
In comparing this Brazilian species to the other two commercial species, Record and Hess comment that “The wood is practically identical in appearance and structure with the Quebracho of Argentina.”^[1]Record and Hess. Timbers of the New World. p. 48

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

A special thanks to John Volcko for providing the turned photo of this wood species.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Quebracho and African blackwood (turned)

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Quebracho (endgrain 10x)

Quebracho (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: diffuse porous; growth rings generally not visible, though occasionally discernible due to subtle change in color of woof fibers around the annual growth ring boundaries

Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples

Vessels: medium to large, few to moderately numerous; tyloses common

Parenchyma: vasicentric and unilateral

Rays: narrow width, normal spacing; rays generally not visible without magnification

Lookalikes/Substitutes: Superficially, quebracho has an overall appearance that’s similar to various types of mahogany. However, quebracho’s very high density should serve to separate it from nearly all lookalikes.

Notes: Heartwood fluoresces a yellowish green under a blacklight.

> Hardwoods > Anacardiaceae > Schinopsis > Related Species

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

Finishing Exotic and Tropical Hardwoods Some woods can turn the finishing process into a gummy mess. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

Restricted and Endangered Wood Species From CITES appendices to IUCN status, what you need to know about today’s wood situation.

References[+]

References
↑1	Record and Hess. Timbers of the New World. p. 48

The post Soto appeared first on The Wood Database.

Willow-Leaf Red Quebracho

Eric — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 18:00:09 +0000

> Hardwoods > Anacardiaceae > Schinopsis > balansae

DATA SOURCE(S): 8,27,30,36,39,43

Willow-leaf red quebracho (Schinopsis balansae)

Common Name(s): Willow-leaf red quebracho, quebracho colorado chaqueno, red quebracho

Scientific Name: Schinopsis balansae

Distribution: South America (primarily Argentina, Paraguay, and Central-West Brazil)

Tree Size: 40-80 ft (12-24 m) tall,

2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 75.5 lbs/ft³ (1,210 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): 1.05, 1.21

Janka Hardness: 3,450 lb_f (15,340 N)*

*see special comments below

Modulus of Rupture: 18,340 lb_f/in² (126.5 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 2,192,000 lb_f/in² (15.12 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 12,090 lb_f/in² (83.4 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 4.9%, Tangential: 8.0%,

Volumetric: 12.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood color typically a light to medium reddish brown, sometimes with darker blackish streaks. Color darkens upon prolonged exposure to light. Pale yellow sapwood distinct from heartwood, though transition is gradual. Can have moderate ribbon figure on quartersawn surfaces due to interlocked/roey grain. Overall appearance can resemble genuine mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla).

Grain/Texture: Quebracho has a fine, uniform texture with a high natural luster. Grain tends to be irregular, roey, and interlocked.

Rot Resistance: Quebracho is rated as very durable, and is also resistant to insect attacks. Quebracho also has good weathering characteristics.

Workability: Difficult to work on account of its density and irregular grain. High cutting resistance, as well as pronounced blunting effect on cutters. Dries slowly—and tends to crack, check, and warp while drying. Turns and finishes well, and also able to take on a high natural polish without any finishing agents.

Odor: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species, though it is reported to have a bitter taste.

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, quebracho has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions include skin and respiratory irritation, as well as nausea. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Very seldom available in North America, quebracho is much more commonly harvested and processed for its natural tanins, or minimally-processed and used locally in heavy construction. Small log sections, craft blanks, or sawn lumber can sometimes be found on a limited basis. Expect prices to be in the medium to high range for an imported hardwood.

Sustainability: Quebracho is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and the IUCN reports that Schinopsis balansae is a species of least concern. However, this IUCN evaluation dates back to 1998 and is in need of updating.

Common Uses: Due to its difficult workability, quebracho tends to be minimally processed. Local uses include heavy construction timbers, railroad cross-ties, and fence posts. When exported, uses include furniture, carvings, and turned objects.

Comments: The name quebracho is from the Spanish quebrar hacha, which literally means ‘axe breaker.’ Aptly named, wood in the Schinopsis genus is among the heaviest and hardest in the world. The added descriptor colorado, Spanish for ‘red,’ is sometimes added to the name to help distinguish it from an unrelated species, Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco, which goes by the common name quebracho blanco (white quebracho).
Quebracho was heavily exploited in the late 1800s for use in leather tanning. The tanin-rich heartwood (up to 20-30%) is cut into small chips, where the tanins can subsequently be extracted.^[1]Record and Hess. Timbers of the New World. p. 48
In addition to Schinopsis balansae (represented on this page), there is another very similar species that is also sold and harvested as red quebracho: S. lorentzii. According to Record and Hess, Schinopsis lorentzii is “more abundant in the drier western plains and is sometimes referred to as the Santiago type (quebracho colorado santiagueno),” while the closely related S. balansae, also harvested and sold as quebracho, “extends into the swampy lands fringing the Parana and Paraguay rivers, is known as the Santa Fe or Chaco type (quebracho colorado chaqueno).”^[2]Record and Hess. Timbers of the New World. p. 48
Special comment on quebracho Janka hardness: This wood previously had a very high Janka hardness value listed, formerly 4,570 lb_f (20,340 N), and for several years it also topped the list of hardest woods on the Wood Database. However, a recent discovery of an additional source^[3]Martinuzzi, F. (2010.) Fichas Técnicas de Maderas. INTI Madera y muebles. has forced me to recalculate this value. By default, I calculate each of the mechanical values as an average value drawing from all credible/original sources. But for this particular data source, I had ignored the reported values for many years because (i) the authors didn’t list the units of measurement used for Janka hardness, (ii) the values cited did not closely match any known units of measurement for Janka hardness, and (iii) the authors did not respond to my email inquiry. The recent breakthrough finally came when I compared the Janka hardness values of other tree species from this source with their known values from other sources. I could then see that the values corresponded perfectly to decanewtons (daN)—this is a very uncommon unit (Newtons (N) or kilonewtons (kN) are much more common), and it’s the only instance I’m aware of where decanewtons have been used for Janka hardness. However, taken as a whole, the actual data from this source tends to be quite reliable, including the Janka hardness of many other species, so I thought it fit to incorporate the Janka hardness values for this source into the average calculation. This had the effect of bringing the average value down significantly—both for Schinopsis balansae and S. lorentzii.

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

A special thanks to John Volcko for providing the turned photo of this wood species.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Quebracho and African blackwood (turned)

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Willow-leaf red quebracho (endgrain 10x)

Willow-leaf red quebracho (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: diffuse porous; growth rings generally not visible, though occasionally discernible due to subtle change in color of woof fibers around the annual growth ring boundaries

Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples

Vessels: medium to large, few to moderately numerous; tyloses common

Parenchyma: vasicentric and unilateral

Rays: narrow width, normal spacing; rays generally not visible without magnification

Notes: Heartwood fluoresces a yellowish green under a blacklight.

> Hardwoods > Anacardiaceae > Schinopsis > Related Species

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

Finishing Exotic and Tropical Hardwoods Some woods can turn the finishing process into a gummy mess. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

Restricted and Endangered Wood Species From CITES appendices to IUCN status, what you need to know about today’s wood situation.

References[+]

References
↑1, ↑2	Record and Hess. Timbers of the New World. p. 48
↑3	Martinuzzi, F. (2010.) Fichas Técnicas de Maderas. INTI Madera y muebles.

The post Willow-Leaf Red Quebracho appeared first on The Wood Database.

Bomanga

Eric — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 11:19:05 +0000

> Hardwoods > Fabaceae > Brachystegia > laurentii

DATA SOURCE(S): 6,8,14,36,43

Bomanga (Brachystegia laurentii)

Common Name(s): Bomanga

Scientific Name: Brachystegia laurentii, (syn. B. zenkeri)

Distribution: Central Africa

Tree Size: 100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall,

3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 35.5 lbs/ft³ (570 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .50, .57

Janka Hardness: 1,140 lb_f (5,060 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 12,550 lb_f/in² (86.6 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 1,768,000 lb_f/in² (12.19 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 6,990 lb_f/in² (48.2 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 3.7%, Tangential: 6.0%,

Volumetric: 9.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.6

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood ranges from light golden brown to dark reddish brown.

Grain/Texture: Fine texture and a straight or slightly interlocked grain.

Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable to non-durable; poor resistance to decay and insect attack.

Workability: Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Turns, glues, and finishes well.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with bomanga. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Seldom available in North America. Prices should be moderate when compared to other imported lumber.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern.

Common Uses: A general-purpose lumber used for furniture, interior millwork, plywood, and flooring.

Comments: None.

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Do you have images of projects made from this wood species? You can submit them to me here.

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Bomanga (endgrain 10x)

Bomanga (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: diffuse porous; growth rings sometimes discernible due marginal parenchyma

Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples

Vessels: large to very large, very few

Parenchyma: lozenge, confluent, and banded (marginal)

Rays: narrow width, normal to close spacing; rays not visible without magnification

Lookalikes/Substitutes: None.

Notes: None.

> Hardwoods > Fabaceae > Brachystegia > Related Species

Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods Nearly all wood tends to turn brown over time. Here’s what you can do to maintain color longer.

Fluorescence: A Secret Weapon in Wood Identification All it takes is a simple blacklight to detect a fluorescent response in hardwoods.

Machinability of Domestic Hardwoods A total of 27 different US hardwoods, ranked by their ease of working with machine tools.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

Periodic Table of Wood This wood species is included as one of 118 “elemental” woods on this nerdy poster.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

The post Bomanga appeared first on The Wood Database.

Dawn Redwood

Eric — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:58:49 +0000

> Softwoods > Cupressaceae > Metasequoia > glyptostroboides

DATA SOURCE(S): 52

Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)

Common Name(s): Dawn redwood, Chinese water fir, 水杉

Scientific Name: Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Distribution: Native to south-central China; also planted as an ornamental tree in temperate regions worldwide

Tree Size: 100-150 ft (30-45 m) tall,

3-8 ft (1-2.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 21.0 lbs/ft³ (335 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .28, .34

Janka Hardness: 310 lb_f (1,390 N)*

*Estimated hardness based on specific gravity

Modulus of Rupture: 8,900 lb_f/in² (61.4 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 887,000 lb_f/in² (6.12 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 5,160 lb_f/in² (35.6 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 6.0%,

Volumetric: 9.0%, T/R Ratio: 2.1

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood color can range from a light pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown. Sapwood is a pale white/yellow.

Grain/Texture: Grain is generally straight, though figured pieces may be be wavy or irregular. Coarse texture with low natural luster.

Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable to very durable regarding decay resistance. Lumber from old-growth trees tends to be more durable than that from younger second-growth trees.

Workability: Typically easy to work with hand tools or machinery, but planer tearout can occur on figured pieces with curly, wavy, or irregular grain. Glues and finishes well.

Odor: Redwood has a distinct odor when being worked, though unlike cedar, this odor subsides after being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity: Although there have been no adverse health effects directly associated with dawn redwood, the closely related coast redwood has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as asthma-like symptoms. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Originally presumed to be extinct, dawn redwood is generally only available on a very limited basis—primarily from felled or storm damaged ornamental trees.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as endangered due a severely fragmented extent of occurrence, as well as an overall decline in natural habitat and number of mature trees. Technically, all mature native trees have been declared protected, but the underlying habitat protection has been assessed as “inadequate.”^[1]Farjon, A. 2013. Metasequoia glyptostroboides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T32317A2814244. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T32317A2814244.en. Accessed on 07 … Continue reading A 2011 investigation showed that this habitat decline came as a result of human activity.^[2]Tang, C. Q., Yang, Y., Ohsawa, M., Momohara, A., Hara, M., Cheng, S., & Fan, S. (2011). Population structure of relict Metasequoia glyptostroboides and its habitat fragmentation and degradation … Continue reading

Common Uses: Some suggested uses include using the wood for production of hardboard or chipboard, as well as non-structural applications where good dimensional stability is needed.^[3]Kozakiewicz, P., & Monder, S. (2016). Physical and mechanical properties and anatomy of metasequoia wood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng). Annals of Warsaw University of Life … Continue reading

Comments: Originally described from fossils, dawn redwood was only known as a long-extinct species. However, a series of discoveries in the 1940s in rural China led to the realization that present-day living trees “not far from extinction” matched those in the fossil record.^[4]Merrill, E.D. 1948. Metasequoia, another ‘living fossil’. Arnoldia 8(1). Shortly thereafter, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University funded an expedition which resulted in the collection and exporting of viable seeds, eventually resulting in the species being planted not only in arboretums, but also becoming an established ornamental species worldwide. While the number of wild specimens continues to slowly decline, dawn redwood is now widely cultivated in temperate regions worldwide—indeed, the city of Pizhou, China features a 29-mile (46 km) long avenue lined with approximately one million dawn redwoods.^[5]Browell, M. (2013). The creation of the longest tree avenue in the world. Arboricultural journal, 35(1), 50-54.

Dawn redwood lumber tends to be very soft, and commensurately weak. A 2016 analysis of dawn redwood concluded, “In its solid form, this wood has too low density and is not suitable for the production of structural elements, floor materials and joinery.”^[6]Kozakiewicz, P., & Monder, S. (2016). Physical and mechanical properties and anatomy of metasequoia wood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng). Annals of Warsaw University of Life … Continue reading

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood. The first sample pictured shows a slower-grown sample, while the remaining two show faster-grown trees with very widely spaced growth rings.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Identification: See the article on Softwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Dawn redwood, slower growth (endgrain 10x)

Dawn redwood, faster growth (endgrain 10x)

Dawn redwood, slower growth (endgrain 1x)

Dawn redwood, faster growth (endgrain 1x)

Resin canals : absent

Tracheid diameter : large to very large

Earlywood to latewood transition : moderately abrupt

Grain contrast : medium

Parenchyma : diffuse

Lookalikes/Substitutes: With its very lightweight yet dark reddish brown heartwood (especially after a finish has been applied), there aren’t very many woods that can be confused with redwood. The most likely candidate for confusion is western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Generally, cedar is lighter in color than redwood, and has a distinct lingering scent.

Notes: None.

> Softwoods > Cupressaceae > Metasequoia > Related Species

There are a total of five species of Metasequoia found in the fossil record, though M. glyptostroboides is the sole surviving species today, leading scientists to view dawn redwood as a “living fossil.”^[7]Ma, J. (2003). The chronology of the” living fossil” Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae): a review (1943-2003). Harvard Papers in Botany, 9-18.

Additionally, the Cupressaceae family contains a subfamily, Sequoioideae, which contains a total of three extant species—each from three different genera.

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

Periodic Table of Wood This wood species is included as one of 118 “elemental” woods on this nerdy poster.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

References[+]

References
↑1	Farjon, A. 2013. Metasequoia glyptostroboides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T32317A2814244. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T32317A2814244.en. Accessed on 07 June 2024.
↑2	Tang, C. Q., Yang, Y., Ohsawa, M., Momohara, A., Hara, M., Cheng, S., & Fan, S. (2011). Population structure of relict Metasequoia glyptostroboides and its habitat fragmentation and degradation in south-central China. Biological Conservation, 144(1), 279-289.
↑3, ↑6	Kozakiewicz, P., & Monder, S. (2016). Physical and mechanical properties and anatomy of metasequoia wood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng). Annals of Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Forestry and Wood Technology, (95), 114-119.
↑4	Merrill, E.D. 1948. Metasequoia, another ‘living fossil’. Arnoldia 8(1).
↑5	Browell, M. (2013). The creation of the longest tree avenue in the world. Arboricultural journal, 35(1), 50-54.
↑7	Ma, J. (2003). The chronology of the” living fossil” Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae): a review (1943-2003). Harvard Papers in Botany, 9-18.

The post Dawn Redwood appeared first on The Wood Database.

Giant Sequoia

Eric — Sat, 25 May 2024 12:40:23 +0000

> Softwoods > Cupressaceae > Sequoiadendron > giganteum

DATA SOURCE(S): 51

Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

Common Name(s): Giant sequoia, giant redwood, sierra redwood, wellingtonia

Scientific Name: Sequoiadendron giganteum

Distribution: California (Sierra Nevada mountain range);

Tree Size: 165-260 ft (50-80 m) tall,

10-20 ft (3-6 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 23.3 lbs/ft³ (375 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .33, .37

Janka Hardness: 420 lb_f (1,850 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 7,610 lb_f/in² (52.4 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 985,000 lb_f/in² (6.79 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 4,910 lb_f/in² (33.9 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 1.8%, Tangential: 4.0%,

Volumetric: 6.3%, T/R Ratio: 2.3

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood color can range from a light pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown. Sapwood is a pale white/yellow. When compared with the more common coast redwood, heartwood color of giant sequoia tends to be slightly darker, sometimes with a purplish cast.

Grain/Texture: Grain is generally straight, though figured pieces may be be wavy or irregular. Coarse texture with low natural luster.

Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable to very durable regarding decay resistance. Lumber from old-growth trees tends to be more durable than that from younger second-growth trees.

Workability: Typically easy to work with hand tools or machinery, but planer tearout can occur on figured pieces with curly, wavy, or irregular grain. Glues and finishes well.

Odor: Giant sequoia has a distinct odor when being worked, though unlike cedar, this odor subsides after being worked.

Allergies/Toxicity: Although there have been no adverse health effects directly associated with giant sequoia, the closely related coast redwood has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as well as asthma-like symptoms. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Giant sequoia has generally been completely eclipsed by the closely related coast redwood for most commercial purposes. Any potential uses would come from second-growth or plantation-grown trees, making use of the wood’s decay resistance.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as endangered due to a limited and declining area of occupancy. Even though nearly all giant sequoia groves occur within protected areas, as mature trees gradually die, they are usually replaced with competing conifers, leading to a gradual decline in the native population.^[1]Schmid, R. & Farjon, A. 2013. Sequoiadendron giganteum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: … Continue reading

Common Uses: Fence posts, shingles, and match sticks.

Comments: True to its name, giant sequoia trees can reach very large sizes, among the most massive trees on earth.

Unlike most other conifers, lumber taken from old-growth giant sequoia trees tends to yield lumber that is actually weaker, lighter, and more brittle than second-growth trees. (The mechanical values listed at the top of the page represent the averages between both old-growth lumber and second-growth lumber.)

For clarity, the values of each type of lumber is separated out below.^[2]Cockrell, R. A., Knudson, R. M., & Stangenberger, A. G. (1971). Mechanical properties of southern Sierra old-and second-growth Giant Sequoia. Bulletin of the California Agricultural Experiment … Continue reading Note the abnormally low MOR and MOE values for old-growth lumber.

	Old-Growth Lumber	Second-Growth Lumber
Average Dried Weight:	19.4 lbs/ft³ (310 kg/m³)	23.7 lbs/ft³ (380 kg/m³)
Janka Hardness:	360 lb_f (1,600 N)	470 lb_f (2,090 N)
Modulus of Rupture:	5,870 lb_f/in² (40.5 MPa)	9,340 lb_f/in² (64.4 MPa)
Elastic Modulus:	680,000 lb_f/in² (4.69 GPa)	1,290,000 lb_f/in² (8.90 GPa)
Crushing Strength:	4,420 lb_f/in² (30.5 MPa)	5,410 lb_f/in² (37.3 MPa)

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Identification: See the article on Softwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Giant sequoia (endgrain 10x)

Giant sequoia (endgrain 1x)

Resin canals : absent

Tracheid diameter : large to very large

Earlywood to latewood transition : moderately abrupt

Grain contrast : medium

Parenchyma : diffuse

Lookalikes/Substitutes: With its very lightweight yet dark reddish brown heartwood (especially after a finish has been applied), there aren’t very many woods that can be confused with coast redwood. The most likely candidate for confusion is western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Generally, cedar is lighter in color than redwood, and has a distinct lingering scent.

Notes: None.

> Softwoods > Cupressaceae > Sequoia > Related Species

The Sequoiadendron genus contains one other species, S. chaneyi, an extinct prehistoric species, making S. giganteum the sole surviving species today. However, the Cupressaceae family contains a subfamily, Sequoioideae, which contains a total of three extant species—each from three different genera.

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

References[+]

References
↑1	Schmid, R. & Farjon, A. 2013. Sequoiadendron giganteum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T34023A2840676. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T34023A2840676.en. Accessed on 31 May 2024.
↑2	Cockrell, R. A., Knudson, R. M., & Stangenberger, A. G. (1971). Mechanical properties of southern Sierra old-and second-growth Giant Sequoia. Bulletin of the California Agricultural Experiment Station, (854).

The post Giant Sequoia appeared first on The Wood Database.

Taiwan Zelkova

Eric — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:30:47 +0000

> Hardwoods > Ulmaceae > Zelkova > serrata var. tarokoensis

DATA SOURCE(S): 36,43,49,50

Taiwan Zelkova (Z. carpinifolia pictured)

Common Name(s): Taiwan zelkova, 榉树

Scientific Name: Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis

Distribution: Endemic to Taiwan

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall,

2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 58.9 lbs/ft³ (945 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .78, .94

Janka Hardness: 2,630 lb_f (11,690 N)*

*Estimated hardness based on specific gravity.

Strength Values: Not available; reported to be in strength class S2^[1]Keating, W. G., Bolza, E. (1982). Characteristics, Properties, and Uses of Timbers: South-east Asia, Northern Australia, and the Pacific (p. 362). United Kingdom: Texas A&M University Press. (see article on obscure woods for details)

Shrinkage: Radial: ~5%, Tangential: ~8%,

Volumetric: ~13%, T/R Ratio: ~1.6

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is light to medium golden brown, usually distinct from the lighter yellowish brown sapwood. Quartersawn sections can display minute ray fleck patterns due to the wide rays. Overall appearance is very similar elm (Ulmus spp.).

Grain/Texture: Grain varies from straight to irregular and interlocked.

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable, with good insect resistance.

Workability: Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Turns, glues, and finishes well.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with keyaki. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Although used extensively in the past, keyaki is generally not available commercially nowadays.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is assessed by IUCN as being near threatened. Although the species as a whole is not threatened, certain areas where the tree occurs, specifically in China and Korea,^[2]Bétrisey, S., Song, Y. & Kozlowski, G. 2018. Zelkova serrata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: … Continue reading have seen a decline in habitat quality and extent of occurrence.

Common Uses: Used domestically within its natural range, usually for decorative purposes such as furniture, carvings, and lacquer works. Currently, the wood is reserved for historically-accurate restoration of ancient temples and shrines within its natural range.^[3]Timbers of the World: Vol. 2 (p. 34). (1980). United Kingdom: TRADA

Comments: In addition to this species, there is also a variant endemic to Taiwan (Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis) with markedly higher density.

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Do you have images of projects made from this wood species? You can submit them to me here.

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Zelkova (endgrain 10x)

Zelkova (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: ring porous

Arrangement: earlywood pores typically one (or two) rows wide, latewood pores in wavy tangential bands (ulmiform)

Vessels: medium to very large earlywood pores, small to medium latewood pores; tyloses common

Parenchyma: vasicentric, confluent

Rays: wide width, wide spacing; rays are visible without magnification

Lookalikes/Substitutes: Bears a very close resemblance to elm (Ulmus spp.).

Notes: None.

> Hardwoods > Ulmaceae > Zelkova > Related Species

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

Restricted and Endangered Wood Species From CITES appendices to IUCN status, what you need to know about today’s wood situation.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

References[+]

References
↑1	Keating, W. G., Bolza, E. (1982). Characteristics, Properties, and Uses of Timbers: South-east Asia, Northern Australia, and the Pacific (p. 362). United Kingdom: Texas A&M University Press.
↑2	Bétrisey, S., Song, Y. & Kozlowski, G. 2018. Zelkova serrata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T61967528A61967548. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61967528A61967548.en. Accessed on 18 April 2024.
↑3	Timbers of the World: Vol. 2 (p. 34). (1980). United Kingdom: TRADA

The post Taiwan Zelkova appeared first on The Wood Database.

Keyaki

Eric — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 05:11:29 +0000

> Hardwoods > Ulmaceae > Zelkova > serrata

DATA SOURCE(S): 16,43,47,48

Keyaki (Z. carpinifolia pictured)

Common Name(s): Keyaki, Japanese elm, ケヤキ, 榉树, 느티나무

Scientific Name: Zelkova serrata

Distribution: Japan, Korea, and eastern China

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall,

2-3 ft (.6-1 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 38.7 lbs/ft³ (620 kg/m³)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .55, .62

Janka Hardness: 1,040 lb_f (4,640 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 14,020 lb_f/in² (96.7 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 1,556,000 lb_f/in² (10.73 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 7,400 lb_f/in² (51.1 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: ~5%, Tangential: ~8%,

Volumetric: ~13%, T/R Ratio: ~1.6*
*Shrinkage values are for the subspecies Z. serrata var. tarokoensis

More images | Identification

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is light to medium golden brown, usually distinct from the lighter yellowish brown sapwood. Quartersawn sections can display minute ray fleck patterns due to the wide rays. Overall appearance is very similar elm (Ulmus spp.).

Grain/Texture: Grain varies from straight to irregular and interlocked.

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable, with good insect resistance.

Workability: Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Turns, glues, and finishes well.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with keyaki. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Although used extensively in the past, keyaki is generally not available commercially nowadays.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is assessed by IUCN as being near threatened. Although the species as a whole is not threatened, certain areas where the tree occurs, specifically in China and Korea,^[1]Bétrisey, S., Song, Y. & Kozlowski, G. 2018. Zelkova serrata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: … Continue reading have seen a decline in habitat quality and extent of occurrence.

Common Uses: Used domestically within its natural range, usually for decorative purposes such as furniture, carvings, and lacquer works. Currently, the wood is reserved for historically-accurate restoration of ancient temples and shrines within its natural range.^[2]Timbers of the World: Vol. 2 (p. 34). (1980). United Kingdom: TRADA

Comments: In addition to this species, there is also a variant endemic to Taiwan (Zelkova serrata var. tarokoensis) with markedly higher density.

Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood.

(Note that the wood pictured below is of related Zelkova carpinifolia, pictures of this actual species are forthcoming.)

Watch video of wood finish being applied.

Do you have images of projects made from this wood species? You can submit them to me here.

Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features.

Zelkova (endgrain 10x)

Zelkova (endgrain 1x)

Porosity: ring porous

Arrangement: earlywood pores typically one (or two) rows wide, latewood pores in wavy tangential bands (ulmiform)

Vessels: medium to very large earlywood pores, small to medium latewood pores; tyloses common

Parenchyma: vasicentric, confluent

Rays: wide width, wide spacing; rays are visible without magnification

Lookalikes/Substitutes: Bears a very close resemblance to elm (Ulmus spp.).

Notes: None.

> Hardwoods > Ulmaceae > Zelkova > Related Species

Ebony, Macassar
(Diospyros celebica)

Ebony, Gaboon
(Diospyros crassiflora)

Ebony, Ceylon
(Diospyros ebenum)

Ebony, black and white
(Diospyros malabarica)

Ebony, Coromandel
(Diospyros melanoxylon)

Ebony, mun
(Diospyros mun)

Blackwood, Malaysian
(Diospyros spp.)

Persimmon
(Diospyros virginiana)

WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide All that makes The Wood Database unique, distilled into one potent book.

Worldwide Woods, Ranked by Hardness Over 500 woods arranged into eight geographic regions and ranked by Janka hardness—all on one 24″ x 36″ poster.

Wood Filter Search, sort, and filter hundreds of woods from across the globe and break out of the ordinary!

References[+]

References
↑1	Bétrisey, S., Song, Y. & Kozlowski, G. 2018. Zelkova serrata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T61967528A61967548. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61967528A61967548.en. Accessed on 18 April 2024.
↑2	Timbers of the World: Vol. 2 (p. 34). (1980). United Kingdom: TRADA

The post Keyaki appeared first on The Wood Database.