United States Department of Agriculture Wood — Forest Service Colors and Kinds Agriculture Handbook Number 101 CONTENTS October 1956 Approved for reprinting August 1981 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 WOOD—COLORS AND KINDS Prepared by Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Service A key element in any business transaction in- characteristics. Beginning at the top of the volving wood is the proper identification of species. illustration, end-grained, edge-grained (quarter- Literally scores of different woods are bought and sawed), and flat-grained (plainsawed) surfaces are sold daily for hundreds of uses. A New England all displayed. This is done because certain home may be framed with Douglas-fir from Ore- identifying characteristics show up best on each gon, floored with red oak from Arkansas, sided surface. The terms “edge-grained” and “flat- with California redwood, and trimmed inside with grained” are used in reference to softwood lumber, Michigan yellow birch. Its furniture may be while quartersawed and plainsawed refer to hard- veneered with Pennsylvania black cherry over wood lumber. Wisconsin basswood and fitted with drawers of The manner in which it is sawed from the log will, Indiana sycamore and backs of Carolina sweetgum. of course, determine whether a piece of wood shows It is apparent that familiarity with only locally flat-grained or edge-grained patterns of annual grown species is not enough in today’s lumber growth rings on its wide surfaces. Lumber is markets. manufactured in both forms. Often, any one of several species is suitable for a Each color plate presents two species. Where specific use. Other species, however, may be en- possible, closely similar species are shown together tirely unfit for that use. Of those suitable, some on one plate, so that distinguishing characteristics are better than others because they are stronger, can be more conveniently examined. In other perhaps, or more attractive, or hold paint better. cases, species are paired on one plate because they Others may be superior because they are harder, are often marketed in mixture or used inter- shrink less, resist decay, or are more easily cut and changeably. joined. It follows, then, that correct identification Certain species are not distinguishable from is essential to insure selecting the right wood for a close relatives by the wood alone, even under the given job. microscope. Thus, for example, the wood of many As the official wood identification agency of the different species of red oak is identical in structure United States Government, the Forest Products and appearance even though the trees from which Laboratory annually receives thousands of re- it comes may differ markedly in leaf, bark, and quests for identification service from industry, fruit. From the wood user’s standpoint’, however, other branches of the Federal Government, units botanical differences in trees usually do not matter of State and local governments, and the general so long as their wood is consistent in properties public. This service is requested in connection and appearance. Where appropriate in the de- with business transactions, civil lawsuits, criminal scriptions, differences are mentioned that distin- cases, building codes for homes and other struc- guish a species from closely similar ones not tures, industrial standards, and Government pur- shown. The general range of growth, properties, chase specifications. The Laboratory has also and common uses of each species are also given. been called upon to identify wood from tombs of Obviously, many other species could have been Egyptian Pharaohs, sunken pirate ships, pre- included with the 18 hardwoods and 14 softwoods historic forests, and the beam that supports the described in this publication. Those chosen are Liberty Bell. the species most commonly found in retail lumber In the great majority of day-to-day transac- markets. tions, however, wood identification is a relatively To assist the reader in getting the utmost help simple problem. By acquiring a little know-how, from this booklet, the terms used in the descrip- many lumbermen, dealers, builders, manufactur- tions are defined in a glossary. These terms are in ers, consumers, students, and home-workshop hob- common use among wood technologists, and the byists could solve their identification problems on features of wood to which they apply are regularly the spot. Consequently, this publication was pre- used for identification and other purposes at the pared as an aid to those persons concerned with Forest Products Laboratory. The common and identifying the more common native species of botanical names of species conform to the official wood. Forest Service nomenclature for trees. Cubic- Characteristics that are apparent to the naked foot weights of species described are averages eye and that distinguish our native woods from taken at 12 percent moisture content; specific each other are described for each of 32 species. gravity is based on volume when green and weight Because color is an important identifying char- when ovendry. acteristic of many woods, special attention has been For information on botanical differences among paid to describing the natural color of a freshly cut species, such as the shape of leaves, patterns of surface of the wood. bark, and form of fruit, the reader is referred to Descriptions of species are accompanied by full- Trees, the 1949 Yearbook of the U. S. Department color illustrations showing grain pattern and other of Agriculture. 1 HARDWOODS (Broad-Leaved Species) American beech (Fagus grandifolia) Range.—The natural range of beech in the yields a short-fibered pulp that can be mixed with United States extends from Maine to northern longer fibered pulps to obtain paper of satisfactory Florida and westward from the Atlantic coast strength. into Wisconsin, Missouri, and Texas. It usually Uses.—American beech is used for lumber, grows in mixture with other species, although distilled products, veneer, railroad ties, pulpwood, pure stands of considerable extent occur in the cooperage, and fuel. The lumber is used largely Blue Ridge Mountains, especially in North in the manufacture of boxes, crates, baskets, Carolina. furniture, handles, flooring, woodenware, general Properties.— One of the heavy woods, American millwork, and novelties. Beech is especially beech has an average weight of 45 pounds a cubic suitable for food containers, since it does not foot and, with a specific gravity of 0.56, is classi- impart taste or odor. fied as hard. It is rated high in strength and Description.— Heartwood is white with a red- shock resistance and is readily bent when steamed. dish tinge to reddish brown. Pores are not visi- Beech is subject to very large shrinkage and ble but wood rays can be seen on all surfaces. requires considerable care during seasoning if On the end grain, the rays appear to be irregularly checks, warp, and discoloration are to be avoided. spaced, while on quartersawed surfaces they ap- Heartwood ranks low in resistance to decay. pear to be of different heights along the grain. The wood wears well and stays smooth when On the plainsawed surfaces, the rays also appear to subjected to friction, even under water. Although be of different height, but they look much nar- ranking high in nail-withdrawal resistance? it rower in this view. Beech is readily distinguish- has a tendency to split when nails are driven able from other native species by its weight, con- into it. When pulped by the soda process, beech spicuous rays, and tiny pores. (Illustration, p. 11.) American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) Range.—American sycamore grows in scattered interlocking grain ranks high in its ability to with- groups or singly from southern Maine westward stand splitting. Sycamore wood does not impart to Nebraska and southward to eastern Texas and taste, odor, or stain to substances that come in northern Florida. It grows best on flatlands where contact with it. there is a good supply of ground water and along Uses.-The principal uses of American syca- the edges of streams. lakes. and swamps. At least more are for lumber, veneer, railroad ties, cooper- half of the stand of American sycamore is in the age, fence posts, and fuel. The lumber goes largely central and southern portions of its range in into furniture and boxes. Considerable sycamore Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, veneer is used for fruit and vegetable baskets and Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. berry boxes. Although generally used for the Properties.— In weight, American sycamore is cheaper grades of furniture, sycamore is used in ranked as a moderately heavy wood, averaging one form or another in practically all grades. Other 34 pounds a cubic foot. A moderately hard wood, products made from the lumber include flooring, with a specific gravity of 0.46, it has a close texture scientific instruments, handles, and butchers’ and an interlocking grain. It is moderately strong, blocks. moderately stiff, and has moderately good shock Description.— Heartwood is reddish brown or resistance. flesh brown in color. Pores are very small and not Sycamore has large shrinkage while drying, is visible to the unaided eye. Rays are visible on all inclined to warp, and is somewhat difficult to season. Also, it is not durable when exposed to surfaces. They appear uniformly spaced on the conditions favorable to decay. The wood turns end grain and of uniform height on quartersawed well on a lathe and keeps its shape well when bent surfaces. Plainsawed surfaces show rays that to form after steaming. It is only intermediate in appear more numerous and more closely spaced nail-withdrawal resistance but because of its than in beech. (Illustration, p. 11.) 2 Rock elm (Ulmus thomasii) Range.—Rock elm grows from New Hampshire Uses.—Elm lumber is used principally for to Nebraska and as far south as Tennessee.