IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Osage-Orange Maclura pomifera Summary Osage orange, or bois d’arc or bow-wood, is a native species of southern Arkansas, southern Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas. The wood is ring porous, so it has a coarse grain pattern. The pores are completely filled with tyloses and extractives, which causes the pores to be more subdued then others of comparable size. The sapwood is narrow and yellowish white while the heartwood is bright yellow when first cut and ages to…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Persimmon Diospyros virginiana Summary Persimmon, or Diospyros virginiana, is mainly known for their fruit instead of their wood. Persimmon may be a hard and heavy wood, but it experiences a significant amount of shrinkage. Golf club heads have been made out of persimmon because of its excellent shock and wear resistance. History Persimmon has not been commonly used for many products due the amount of shrinkage it experiences, but turned objects and golf club heads have…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Red Oak Quercus rubra Summary “Red oak” is a term used in the lumber trade that refers to a category of lumber. This lumber category may contain as many as 17 different species of trees (Table 5). It constitutes about one-third of all the hardwood lumber produced. Northern red oak is the most preferred species. It ranges throughout the eastern United States and Canada, except the southern coastal planes. It does well on moist but well-drained soils,…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Sassafras Sassafras albidum Summary Boards 1 and 2 are characteristic of the best the species has to offer. Note the small cinnamon red burls that are unique to the species. Boards 3, 4, 5, and 6 show characteristic open and tight knots and characteristic grain patterns. Board 4 is lighter in color, but very characteristic of the species. Boards 7 and 8 represent low grade material. Board 7 shows the characteristic discoloration and soft wood that…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata Summary Shagbark hickory has a history of being used in “Old Hickory Furniture”, as well as tool handles and other dowel type applications. Shagbark hickory is commonly a range from pale brown to reddish-brown with streaks, bird peck, small bark pockets, and small knots. This material is not resistant to decay and is rated as one of the better woods for steam bending. Looking at the panels from left to right, Board 1…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Soft Maple Acer saccharinum Summary Boards 1 and 2 represent the best the species has to offer. Board 1 is all sapwood and Board 2 contains a section of darker flesh colored heartwood, typical of silver maple. The sapwood of soft maple is typically not as white as hard maple. Boards 3 and 4 show characteristic knots and color variation between heartwood and sapwood. Numerous pith flecks are present in all pieces. Pith flecks are usually much…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Summary Hard or sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh) is one of our hardest, smoothest, most beautiful and valuable wood species. Its hardness and ability to take a high polish and smooth finish and the white color of the sapwood has resulted in many specialty uses. The tree species is also appreciated for the rich and delicious syrup and candy that is made from the sap in the early spring. However, due to…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua Summary Sweetgum is a relatively hard, uniform grained wood previously used for furniture and plywood. It tends to warp and stain easily. It is low valued and currently rarely used, except for industrial blocking and pallets. Today, the species usually has a wide sapwood, but some trees and particularly old trees, have a large dark heartwood. Board 2 is all white sapwood with a few small pin knots. Boards 1 and 3 are…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – White Ash Fraxinus spp. Summary Ash refers to a group of five species ranging throughout the eastern United States. White ash is best known and the preferred species. Only wood from the black ash tree can be distinguished from the other species. It is sometimes sold separately and referred to as brown ash by lumbermen. Board 1 represents the best the species group has to offer. The wood is all white sapwood and shows the coarse grain…
IndoorCampus Feature FNR Hardwood – White Oak Quercus alba Summary White Oak, or Quercus alba, has been used for a variety of things throughout history, such as log cabins, ships, wagon wheels, and furniture. White Oak is commonly a light straw color to medium brown color with long ray streaks throughout. This material is very resistant to decay and is one of the best woods for steam bending. Looking at the panels on the wall from left to right. Board one is…