The Essential Wood Book (PREVIEW)

The

ESSENTIAL

The Woodworker’s Guide to Choosing and Using Lumber

Edited by

TIM SNYDER

The

ESSENTIAL

The Woodworker’s Guide to Choosing and Using Lumber

Text and Photographs © 2020 by Cedar Lane Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electric or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the Publisher.

Previously published by Spring House Press as ISBN 978-1-940611-37-2.

Publisher: Paul McGahren Editor: Tim Snyder Book Editor: Kerri Grzybicki Design: Lindsay Hess Layout: Michael Douglas

Cedar Lane Press PO Box 5424 Lancaster, PA 17606-5424

ISBN: 978-1-950934-39-3 epub ISBN: 978-1-950934-32-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2020931838 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Note: The following list contains names used in The Essential Wood Book that may be registered with the United States Copyright Office: ANCHORSEAL Appalachian Woods Bora-Care Bug-Juice Cabot’s Australian Timber Oil Cook’s Saw Manufacturing FastCap MXV dust mask Freud Diablo Freud Glue Line Rip Granberg MSA half-face respirator PENTACRYL Portamate Stanley Titebond Extend Tim-bor Trend Airshield Pro WoodRiver Wood-Mizer The information in this book is given in good faith; however, no warranty is given, nor are results guaranteed. Woodworking is inherently dangerous. Your safety is your responsibility.

Neither Cedar Lane Press nor the authors assume any responsibility for any injuries or accidents.

To learn more about Cedar Lane Press books, or to find a retailer near you, email info@cedarlanepress.com or visit us at www.cedarlanepress.com.

The

ESSENTIAL

The Woodworker’s Guide to Choosing and Using Lumber

Edited by

TIM SNYDER

CONTENTS 1 Native American Woods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Red Oak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Beech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

White Oak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Birch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Osage-Orange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Boxelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

White Pine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Cherry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Yellow Poplar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

American Chestnut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Red Alder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Cypress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Western Red Cedar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Elm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Redwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Hickory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Royal Paulownia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Holly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Sassafras. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Maple. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Sycamore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Oak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Black Walnut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

2 Exotic Woods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 From Peru to You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Mahogany. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Bamboo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Black Palm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

A Tale of Two Cedars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Purpleheart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Ebony. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Teak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Ipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Wenge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Koa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Yellowheart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Lacewood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Zebrawood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

3 Beyond Basic Lumber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Get a Grip on Lumber Grades. . . . . . . 94

Choosing Sheet Goods. . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Hardwood Lumber: A Buyer’s Guide . 98

Making Good with Salvaged Wood . 115

Buy Sawmill Hardwood and $ave. . . 103

Harvesting Backyard Exotics . . . . . . . 122

Man-Made Woodworking Materials. 106

4 Wood Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Talking Figure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Their Two Scents’ Worth. . . . . . . . . . . 134

Is it Hardwood, Heartwood, or Just Hard Wood? . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Discolorations in Wood . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Spalted Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Toxic Woods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

5 Working with Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Acclimating Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Composing with Grain. . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Predicting Wood Movement . . . . . . . 157

Taming Wild Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Perfect Flat-Panel Glue-Ups . . . . . . . 161

Choosing Wood for Outdoor Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Squaring Up Rough Lumber. . . . . . . . 165 Mixing and Matching Woods. . . . . . . 170

6 Drying and Storing Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Stock Options: Air- or Kiln-Dried? . . 190 How to Air-Dry Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Shelving Hardware for Lumber Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Lumber & Sheet Goods Rack. . . . . . . 200

Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

1

ASH The often-overlooked blonde of American hardwoods

BY PE TE S TEPHANO

ou may never have worked ash

Y

America alone supports

(all sold as white

in the shop, but you’re sure to

18 ash species, led in quantity

ash), range from

have had contact with the wood

and commercial value by white

New England and Nova

at some time—it’s the traditional

ash (Fraxinus americana).

Scotia, west to Minnesota, and

material for the handles of hoes,

south to Texas and Florida. Black

rakes, shovels, and most other

History in woodworking

ash (Fraxinus nigra), marketed as

non-striking tools. And even though

Native Americans pounded and

brown ash, likes the northern part

highly utilitarian, ash makes great-

peeled freshly-cut ash into weaving

of the range. Oregon ash (Fraxinus

looking cabinets and furniture. As

strips for their baskets. Because

latifolia) grows in the Pacific

a plus, the durable blonde wood

ash also absorbs shock and bends

Northwest. Note that at the time

readily steam-bends or can be

without breaking, it became the

of this writing, the ever-spreading

bent-laminated.

mainstay for canoe paddles and

emerald ash borer (EAB) infestation

Although it grows throughout

spear shafts. Perhaps it was these

is a growing concern, although it

the world’s Northern Hemisphere,

traits that led ash to the forefront

has not had a commercial effect on

as a sporting wood; it’s the

ash lumber (see the sidebar at right).

ash’s family ties are to the Mediterranean olive tree. North

Flatsawn black ash

preferred material for hockey sticks, polo mallets, traditional

Purchasing tips

snowshoes, and the bats used in

The best flatsawn white ash First

major league baseball.

and Seconds (FAS) in 4 ⁄4 thickness

Ash was and can still be found in the kitchen. Because it imparts no odor or taste, it became food

ASH QUICK TAKE

containers, turned bowls, and

Cost

Average

serving utensils.

Weight

Average (approximates red oak)

Hardness

High

Stability

High

Durability

High (indoors)

Strength

High (same as sugar maple)

Toxicity

None

Tool type

Sharp hand tools and power tools with carbide cutters

Common uses

Cabinets, chairs, flooring, food containers, tool handles, sporting implements

As furniture, especially chairs with bent parts, ash’s use has been unlimited. Although not rot-resistant like white oak, with a protective exterior finish, the Flatsawn white ash

wood can be used for outdoor furniture as well.

Where the wood comes from White ash and its relatives—green ash, blue ash, and pumpkin ash

8

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

¼" white ash plywood

Bird’s-eye white ash

burning. And always use a

Deciding on the right finish

Plywood and veneer are available,

backing board with end-grain

Unlike maple, ash won’t blotch when

as are banding and turning blanks

and cross-grain passes to avoid

stained, and the wood’s open pores

tear-out.

make it a good candidate for pickling.

Assembly. All adhesives work

All topcoat finishes work well on the

How to select the best stock

well with white ash. Don’t

wood, but keep in mind that under

Ash has straight, coarse, open-

skip sanding grits, or scratches

a clear finish, white ash yellows with

pored grain of even texture. It also

will result.

age much like sugar maple.

for bats.

■■

exhibits a pronounced difference between latewood and earlywood so matching boards requires care.

Flatsawn stock may occasionally display bird’s-eye and curly figure.

Some ash can have darker “bug tracks” that are not considered defects except in veneer logs. For most woodworking, the lightercolored sapwood takes preference.

Brown ash is darker, and presents a challenge when mixing with white ash in a project.

Working ash in the shop White ash closely matches red oak in density and hardness. However, it burns more readily from dull cutting edges or a slow feed rate. These marks are hard to sand off.

■■

Jointing, ripping, routing. Feed ash to the jointer in the direction of the grain (“downhill”) or chipping results. Take shallow

BATTLING THE EMERALD ASH BORER Ever since the discovery in Michigan of the Asian emerald ash borer (EAB) in 2002, the invasive beetle has killed more than 40 million ash trees from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic states and southern Canada. At risk is not only the white ash commercially harvested in the U.S. but also all the varieties of ash trees growing along city streets, in parks, and on private property.

Native American Woods

costs more than brown ash.

At present, little can be done on a large scale except to locate infested areas, quarantine them, and destroy dying and dead trees.

But you can help control the EAB’s spread by heeding the following guidelines: ■■ Get to know what an ash tree looks like

(shape, leaves, and bark).

■■ Detect EAB infestation by closely examining

an ash tree’s bark (log and firewood bark as well). Look for the D-shaped adult exit holes about 1/8" in diameter. Adults emerge from infested trees in mid-May and reach their peak by early July. Report your findings to authorities. If you own the suspect tree, call a tree service for possible insecticide treatment. (Trees with less than 40% canopy die-off can often be saved).

■■ Don’t transport firewood. Buy it locally.

■■ If you collect ash for turning or buy it from

a local woodlot, make sure it doesn’t retain any bark and the first inch of sapwood under the bark. It’s this part of an infested tree that harbors beetle eggs and larvae.

passes with a router to avoid

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

9

BEECH America’s most unappreciated hardwood?

BY PETE STEPHANO

I

admire its durability, fine-textured

beech appeared as bowls, ladles,

Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and central

straight and attractive grain,

and spoons because it imparts

Michigan. But because the beech

pliability, strength, and finishing

no taste or odor. This trait led to

tree (Fagus grandifolia) favors

ease. In the U.S., beech remains a

its popularity for cooperage and

rich soil, it fell to the pioneer’s ax,

commercially underutilized wood

crates. Strong and shock resistant,

beginning the land’s transformation

because without a prolonged

beech also became tool handles

from forest to farm. The beech rates

drying process there’s considerable

and brush backs.

as unusual among North American

degrade due to its relatively high

tree species in that there’s only one,

shrinkage rate. As a result, most of

beech an attractive alternative for

unlike red oak with nearly a dozen

the annual cut goes to paper mills.

benchtops, butcher block, and

n early America, beech forests

Native American Woods

blanketed much of what is now

Woodworkers who know beech

kin. There are, however, nine more

as clogs. In Old-World kitchens

Today’s woodworker will find

cutting boards, as well as cabinets,

of the species around the world. For

History in woodworking

furniture (it easily steam-bends),

instance, European beech (Fagus

Although English bodgers

and turnings. Although not as

sylvatica) ranks among the favored

(chairmakers who use turned

hard as maple, it will withstand

woods in France, Germany, and

parts) took a liking to beech for

abuse when employed as flooring.

Great Britain. In China and Japan,

Windsor chair legs, the wood was

Because beech actually becomes

Fagus crenata sees extensive use.

more often found on peasant feet

more slippery from the burnishing

BEECH QUICK TAKE

10

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Cost

Moderate

Weight

Moderately heavy

Hardness

High

Stability

High (when kiln-dried)

Durability

High (indoors)

Strength

High

Toxicity

None

Tool type

Carbide-tipped power tools or finely honed hand tools

Common uses

Benchtops, tabletops, cabinets, chairs, cutting boards, flooring, treenware, turnings

BEECH FINISHING TIPS ■■ Due to its light color and tight grain, beech can be easily colored with an

aniline dye to resemble cherry, mahogany, or other fine-grained wood.

■■ Stained or unstained ray flecks or other figure in beech will really stand

out after several coats of penetrating oil.

by other wood rubbing against it,

How to select the best stock

it’s ideal for drawer sides.

Beech sapwood resembles hard

even that direction may be

■■

Jointing. Beech’s grain is so

maple, but a shade or two darker,

hard to define in order to feed

Where the wood comes from

while the heartwood can vary from

“downhill.” If you can’t determine

The vast beech forests are no

pink to reddish brown. Quartersawn

it, set the table for a very light

longer, yet the tree remains plentiful

boards display a great ray fleck.

cut, then gradually increase the

in its range, often growing in pure

You may also find some curly, lace,

depth as needed if there’s no

stands with specimens to 100'

or mottle figure, especially with

tear-out.

tall and diameters to 4'. You’ll

European beech. So, as with other

find beech in the eastern third of

hardwoods, try to select boards

the U.S. and adjacent Canadian

of similar appearance. And it’s

provinces, with the greatest

important that you purchase only

tight grain allows for easy

production from the central and

kiln-dried stock or you’ll battle warp

sanding, yet its hardness means

mid-Atlantic states. Germany is a

and twist.

not skipping grits or you’ll leave

as is China for the Asian variety.

Assembly. All adhesives work well with beech.

■■

Sanding. The wood’s straight,

tiny surface scratches.

Working beech in the shop Beech is a hard, heavy wood that’s

Purchasing tips

Deciding on the right finish

more forgiving than hard maple

Finishing beech is a woodworker’s

You’ll have to shop specialty wood

regarding chipping and tear-out.

dream because it takes all stain

suppliers for beech. You may find

However, it can burn if care isn’t

types equally well and won’t

boards up to 12" wide, longer than 8',

taken. Carbide cutting edges help

blotch like maple often does.

and in thicknesses up to 10 /4 (2 1/2").

with its hardness, but the wood is

The same holds true for finishes—

workable for the skilled with sharp

they all work.

Many of the same specialty wood suppliers that sell beech lumber also

hand tools due to its straight, tight

may offer flat cut and quartersawn

grain. The following tactics will

veneer. Beech ¾" plywood might

ensure success.

well be of European or Asian origin,

■■

Ripping and routing. The

but you’ll have difficulty seeing

wood’s density means ripping

any difference between these and

with a rip-profile or combo

domestic beech.

blade to reduce dust buildup

Note: Imported “steamed beech”

Native American Woods

world source for European beech,

■■

and burning. Don’t feed the

wood and veneer differ from

wood too fast and use a splitter

unsteamed beech only in color.

to prevent binding. When

Steaming changes it from blonde/

routing, take shallow passes

tan to an overall pinkish orange/tan.

to avoid burning.

IT’S A FACT ■■ Unlike most trees, beeches always

retain their smooth bark. It will not grow over carvings, such as initials, and they remain forever.

■■ You’ll find the largest beech tree

in the U.S. near Ann Arundel, Maryland. It’s only 112' tall, but has nearly an 8' diameter!

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

11

BIRCH North America’s do-it-all lumber

BY PETE STEPHANO TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN

Native American Woods

T

he commercially important birch

History in woodworking

species found in North America

Native Americans looked to

common material for turned

are but a few of the 50 types of

the paper birch’s bark for the

products such as Shaker pegs,

birch found around the world–

sheathing of dwellings and canoes.

dowels, and buttons. It also shows

from Japan to Scandinavia to Russia.

From the tree’s sap came sweet

up in wooden toys, matchsticks,

The native birches most used by the

syrup. Its young twigs provided

toothpicks–even chopsticks!

U.S. and Canadian forest products

medicine (the salicylic acid in

industry are yellow birch (Betula

them was the precursor to aspirin).

Where the wood comes from

alleghaniensis), sweet birch (Betula

The bark of black birch proved to

The largest domestic source

lenta), and paper birch (Betula

be a tough, enduring material for

of birch lumber and veneer

papyrifera). Of lesser importance

woven baskets.

is the yellow and sweet birch

are river birch (Betula nigra),

that principally grows in the

gray birch (Betula populifolia),

yellow birch for cooperage,

Northeastern and Great Lakes

and western paper birch (Betula

wagon hubs, cabinets, chairs,

states. While you’ll find paper birch

papyrifera variety commutata).

and desks. In the 1950s, popular

in abundance in the same range,

blonde “Scandinavian” furniture

it’s not usually available as lumber.

was built from it.

Yellow and sweet birch (frequently

Although somewhat similar in appearance and grain texture, the wood of yellow and sweet birch

Today, most yellow birch

mixed and marketed together)

tends to be heavy, hard, and strong,

becomes boxes, cabinets,

are also found in the Appalachian

with good shock resistance while

cooperage, furniture, woodenware,

Mountains as far south as

that of paper birch weighs less,

interior trim, flooring, doors, and

northern Georgia.

and is softer and not as strong.

millwork. The wood is also joining ash and maple as stock for baseball

Purchasing tips

birch family of hardwoods has

bats. As plywood, yellow birch

Due to its availability as lumber and

made countless contributions

serves as flush doors, TV cabinets,

plywood, yellow birch and sweet

to Native Americans, European

and office furniture. Despite

birch will be the focus here. First and

explorers, early settlers, trappers,

changes in taste and fashion, birch

Seconds (FAS) boards can be found in

pioneers, and present-day

has been in demand for furniture

4 /4 thickness, with select and better

populations of the U.S. and Canada.

and cabinetry for almost a century.

(S&B) costing a little bit less per unit.

Throughout history, the domestic

12

Early woodworkers used

You’ll find paper birch the

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Plainsawn birch

Birch plywood

in approximately 1⁄4" increments.

for color uniformity, avoiding those

dollar amount per board foot.

Apple-ply is the American-made

with both heartwood and sapwood

version. It comes in 4 × 8' and

as these can cause problems

plywood is sold in 4 × 8' sheets

smaller panels and standard

when color-matching. Because

at home centers. The higher face

thicknesses (1⁄4–1 1⁄2").

commercial demand for light-

The utility A-2 grade, 3⁄4" birch

grade AA costs more; lesser faces,

colored wood is so strong, birch,

such as B and C, cost less. Most

How to select the best stock

like maple, is often graded and

lumber outlets carry thinner stock,

Only specialty wood suppliers or

sold by its color (“sap” or “white”),

too, for use as panels in frame-

lumber outlets offer yellow birch

meaning you’ll pay a premium for

and-panel cabinet doors. Baltic and

lumber. Birch hardwood plywood,

color-selected stock. Note, too, that

Finnish birch plywoods are made in

however, is more widely available,

yellow birch from the northern part

Europe of extra-thin (1⁄16") thickness

although not all retail outlets will

of its growing range will be heavier

of void-free alder and birch plies

carry a wide selection of grades

and contain a finer grain than wood

for the core and top-notch birch

and thicknesses.

from the southern region.

veneers for the faces. The Finnish

Normally, yellow birch has a light

Native American Woods

Figured birch can reach a higher

Birch plywood can also be

variety utilizes exterior adhesive

yellow to nearly white narrow band

graded and sold by its color, just

for outdoor use. Neither of these is

of sapwood. The heartwood ranges

like birch. The highest grade is

available in 4 × 8' sheets, but rather

from cream to tan to reddish tan,

white, followed by uniform light,

60 × 60" sheets and in thicknesses

and may even have tinges of gray

and natural. Lower paint and shop

from 4 mm (1⁄8") to 18 mm (3⁄4")

or red. For projects, choose boards

grades cost less. At a home center, the mid-level grade stock will

IT’S A FACT The enormous flying boat nicknamed “The Spruce Goose” built by Hughes Aircraft of California in the mid-1940s wasn’t really made of spruce. Due to its strength-to-weight ratio, North American yellow birch was the primary wood in its construction. Solid stock became wing and fuselage framing and veneer was laid up in laminations for all skin surfaces except those for control (ailerons, rudder, etc.), which were fabric covered. The giant seaplane had a 320' wingspan and weighed 400,000 pounds. It flew only once—over a mile 70' above Long Beach harbor on November 2, 1947.

vary widely in appearance from sheet to sheet, and contain minor natural defects, varying amounts of heartwood, and slightly lessuniform core material. If you’re able to sort through the stack for the best-looking sheets, you’ll save some money compared to

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

13

Figured curly birch

Native American Woods

Figured curly birch “flame”

buying the top white grades at a

lighter cuts. Plane the wood

closely resembles cherry,

hardwood lumberyard.

at a slight angle to avoid

mahogany, and walnut, you

surface chipping.

can transform it with by stain

Working yellow birch in the shop

adhesives, but its closed-pore

manufacturers have done

Because yellow birch is nearly

density requires glue with a long

for decades.

as hard as sugar maple, it dulls

open time to allow some surface

cutters, so if you don’t presently

penetration. Also, be sure to predrill

use carbide-tipped blades and

for screws as the wood readily

cutters, start now. Compared to

splits. Though hard, birch sands

BIRCH QUICK TAKE

maple, yellow birch machines

easily, and it turns like a dream.

Cost

Moderate

Weight

About same as sugar maple

Hardness

Slightly less than sugar maple

Stability

High

Durability

High

Strength

High

Toxicity

None

Tool type

Power tools with carbidetipped blades and cutters

Common uses

Cabinets, chairs, flooring, furniture, turnings

This wood will work with all

better, because it doesn’t tear out during edge-jointing, or burn as

Deciding on the right finish

easily. Due to its hardness, yellow

Yellow birch takes all clear finishes

birch should be fed at a moderate

equally well and holds paint nicely.

rate when ripping to give the blade

For even staining, though, you’ll

time to clear sawdust.

first need a wood conditioner or

As we said, yellow birch’s fine texture and generally straight

reduce blotching. Dye stains are

grain translate to machining well

a better choice. The wood’s close

and routing beautifully, but boards

grain doesn’t require filling.

with wavy figure mean taking

14

two sealer coats before staining to

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Because yellow birch’s grain

as furniture and cabinet

BOXELDER The softest of the maples has lots to offer woodworkers of all ages.

BY PETE STEPHANO TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN

T

Normally lackluster, the wood

and Manitoba, for erosion control

classifies boxelder (Acer

sometimes displays raspberry-

and windbreaks, and because it can

negundo) as a “soft maple,” along

colored streaks caused by fungal

thrive in cold, punishing climates.

with silver maple and red maple.

infection. When wet or unseasoned,

The largest trees of this species–

The three are normally mixed and

boxelder offers up a nasty aroma

70' tall and up to 4' in diameter–

sold together under the soft maple

that fades once the wood dries.

are found there.

about the same as white pine,

History in woodworking

Purchasing tips

boxelder rates as the lightest and

Boxelder has been used for food

Like sugar maple, boxelder lumber

weakest of the maples. Although

containers such as crates and

grades range from First and

a bit brittle, it works easily with

barrels. Crafters have cut wooden

Seconds (FAS; the highest) to #3B

hand and machine tools, making it

utensils (treenware) from the wood.

Common (the lowest). However,

suitable for woodworking novices

Add to this list toys, basic furniture,

you’ll have to shop local sawmills

to practice on and use for a variety

and cabinets, as well as carvings.

or small outlets for boxelder within

of projects.

Beyond that, both woodturners and

the species’ growth range. It's not

box makers prize the red-streaked

always an easy find.

label. At 27 lbs. per cubic foot dry,

Boxelder stock is light-colored, fine-textured, and close-grained.

Turning of stained boxelder

stock for making eye-catching

Native American Woods

he forest products industry

Expect to triple the cost of FAS, 4 /4

turnings and decorative boxes.

(1"-thick) boxelder for red-streaked

Commercially, boxelder pulp has

stock. You won’t find any boxelder

gone into the making of fiberboard.

veneer, but specialty dealers will have carving and turning blanks,

Where the wood comes from

and possibly live-edge slabs.

In North America, the greatest quantity of boxelder grows from

How to select the best stock

the Great Lakes states to the

While boxelder lumber is normally

central Atlantic states and from

mixed with the other soft maples,

southern New England to northern

some specialty sawmills within the

Florida. However, because the tree

tree’s range may separate boxelder

grows rapidly, especially along

and sell it for a very reasonable

streams and in lowlands, it was

price. Except for those trees that

planted extensively in the West and

display wood with the unmistakable

Northwest, even into Saskatchewan

fungi-produced red streaks, there’s

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

15

Flatsawn, fungi-stained boxelder

little noticeable difference between

boxelder project parts together

red-stained boxelder fortify the

boxelder sapwood and heartwood,

with screws, drill pilot holes first

streaking with aniline dye of the

so selecting boards for a project

to avoid splitting.

same color to prolong its vividness.

Native American Woods

isn’t a difficult chore. Because of the wood’s poor resistance to

boxelder, but its tight grain won’t

decay, avoid it for all outdoor

absorb glue easily. Spread the

projects. Boxelder may also display

glue evenly on the mating

small, tight pin knots and birdpeck,

surfaces, rubbing them together

neither of which affects value and

if possible before clamping for

are allowed in grading.

a complete bond.

BOXELDER QUICK TAKE Cost

Moderate

Weight

About 25% lighter than sugar maple

Hardness

Roughly half as hard as sugar maple

sugar maple. For best results, use

Stability

Moderate

If you’re familiar with machining

a sanding sealer, dewaxed shellac,

Durability

the “hard” maple known as sugar

or a thin coat of a wipe-on finish

Low (due to rot and insect attack)

maple, you’ll find the much softer

to partially seal the wood before

Strength

Moderate

boxelder a lot easier to work. That

staining. Make sure the sealer and

Toxicity

Skin irritation possible

said, like sugar maple, it, too, will

stain are compatible by testing

Tool type

Hand and power tools with sharp blades and cutters

burn if precautions are not taken.

them on a piece of boxelder scrap.

When ripping boxelder, feed the

Another trick is to go with a gel or

Common uses

workpiece at a constant moderate

heavy-bodied stain that you wipe

Decorative and ornamental pieces, carvings, turnings, boxes, crates, some furniture, toys

rate to reduce or eliminate burning.

off and reapply to achieve the

The same is true when routing,

desired color.

Boxelder sands wonderfully,

Working boxelder in the shop

only here trim excess wood in several light passes.

When drilling, eliminate burning

16

All adhesives work well on

but blotches when stained, just like

Because the wonderful red streaking on fungal-infected wood turns brown after prolonged

by using high-quality sharp bits

exposure to sunlight, slow down the

at a moderate to slow speed and

process with a clear finish that has

by occasionally raising the bit and

UV protection. Some woodturners

clearing the hole of chips. To fasten

and others who regularly work

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

IT’S A FACT Native Americans sought out the burls and knots on the lower trunks of boxelder trees for pipestems, bowls, dishes, and drums. They boiled the inner bark to make a tea that served as an emetic. They also boiled down the sap for syrup and treats.

CHERRY A wonderful wood that’s worth a little extra work

BY JOE HURST-WAJSZCZUK

D

means that prices for select stock

need an introduction? Colonial

remain high, but thankfully, there’s no

cabinetmakers first substituted this

shortage on the horizon.

homegrown hardwood for mahogany.

Despite its many attributes, cherry

Years later, cherry played prominent

poses a few challenges. Few other

roles in Shaker and Arts and Crafts

woods are so demanding from start

furniture. Today, the wood continues

(selection) to finish. Here’s how to

to add dazzle to contemporary

avoid a few of the pits.

design. Woodworkers know that cherry’s beauty is more than just skin

Where the wood comes from

deep. Cherry’s characteristics make

North American black cherry

it wonderful to work by hand or with

primarily grows in the eastern

power tools. Not surprisingly, the

half of the U.S. The largest trees

demand for the rose-colored wood

are found in the Appalachian

CHERRY QUICK TAKE

IT’S A FACT ■■ Frontier folk boiled black cherry

bark and drank the liquid to treat bronchitis.

■■ “Cherry bounce,” a fermented

concoction brewed from wild cherries, enlivened many a pioneer hoedown.

■■ According to American Forests’

Native American Woods

oes cherry (Prunus serotina)

National Register of Big Trees, the tallest of the three co-champion black cherry trees grows in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee). It stands 132' tall and measures 169" in circumference at breast height.

Such a trunk could yield as much as 2,000 board feet of lumber!

and Allengheny mountains of Pennsylvania and New York. But

Cost

High

thanks to distribution help from

How to select the best stock

Weight

Moderate

migrating birds who eat the fruit,

Success with cherry starts with

Hardness

Moderate

cherry trees can found from

good wood. Some of these

Stability

Good

Canada to Florida.

problems are easy to see (as

Durability

Poor

Strength

Moderate

an area returns to forest after

won’t appear until you’re making

Toxicity

None

logging, farming, or a forest fire. A

sawdust. Air-dried lumber can be

Tool type

Hand and power tools

tree will grow rapidly at first, but

less expensive, but it may host

Common uses

Small boats, cabinets, light construction, doors, indoor and outdoor furniture, millwork

as the forest matures, it eventually

wood-eating organisms. Kiln-dried

loses out to taller-growing species,

lumber is a safer bet, since the

like maple and oak.

heat kills these critters and makes

Cherry will often take root when

shown, next page), but others

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

17

Bugs

Pitch pockets

cut out or culled. Most boards

can affect design. And since it won’t

moisture content.

contain a few streaks of gum or

darken like heartwood, the contrast

pitch (cherry’s natural defense

will only increase over time. In

Speeding up the drying process

against infestation), but larger

response, cherry is sometimes

(cherry needs 2× more time in

pockets should be avoided. Mineral

graded with heartwood/sapwood

the kiln than poplar) can lead to

streaks, the dark bands that run

percentages. If you’re buying boards

checking, honey combing (cracks

with the grain, can occur when

sight unseen, ask your supplier

within a board), and case-hardening

a tree absorbs minerals from the

about how their wood is graded.

(boards that warp when you make

surrounding soil. If you’re matching

the first cut). Your best defense is

boards for a top or panel, you may

range of reds. Purchasing boards

sticking with a reliable supplier.

need to wait for another batch.

from the same tree is a good start,

Sapwood may not be a defect, but

but variations can occur within

long wide streaks of white sapwood

the same log. For the best color

Good wood has cosmetic problems that will need to be

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS As woods go, few are both as friendly and fickle as cherry. Here are two problems you’re likely to encounter, tips for avoiding them, and advice for making the fix when the damage is done.

Scorch marks. Use sharp, clean cutters, and quick, light passes to minimize heat build-up. To remove burns left by a bit, adjust the depth and take a super-light final pass.

Alternatively, scrape the trouble spot clean, and then finish-sand.

Blotches. Wipe the wood with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to reveal blotch-prone areas. For minor blotching, finish-sand through 400 grit. In severe cases, seal the wood with a 1-lb. cut of dewaxed shellac. When dry, lightly sand with 320 grit and then apply a finish.

18

Mineral streaks

wood less palatable by lowering Some problems occur in the kiln.

Native American Woods

Sapwood

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Even the best boards come in a

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR Avoid tan lines. Cherry’s initial color change happens so fast that a misplaced tool can create a shadow line that’s hard to sand out. Keep freshly planed boards covered or completely exposed.

match, compare boards side by

Finishing cherry

you can test, sand and/or seal as

side. Wiping down the wood with

Cherry’s best color comes with

explained below.

mineral spirits will help reveal color.

time, so the safest bet is to simply

Staining cherry is particularly tricky. Gel stains or dyes work better

work mature to a deep, reddish

than pigment-based stains, but to be

Cherry is slightly softer, and easier

brown. Most of the color comes

safe, seal the wood with a washcoat

to work, than maple or oak, but it’s

within the first two years. To avoid

of shellac to even out the wood’s

sufficiently hard for case goods and

ghost-like imprints from direct

absoption properties. A washcoat

trim. It’s also surprisingly supple,

sunlight, leave surfaces free of

will reduce color intensity, so plan

making it a good choice for steam-

objects for the first six months.

on applying an additional coat of gel,

bent projects, such as Shaker boxes.

Cherry’s tendency to blotch

or mixing a more concentrated dye.

Cherry’s smooth texture makes

means that even your most reliable

Realize that because cherry darkens

it ideal for carving, although its

oil-or film-finish may not be

over time, stained sapwood will

brittleness does cause it to chip

foolproof. To counter this tendency,

eventually reveal itself.

Native American Woods

apply a clear finish and watch your

Working cherry in the shop

more than some other woods.

The resin that helps turn the wood red makes cherry quick to

CHERRY FINISHING SECRETS

burn when a bit, blade, or bearing

■■ It’s best to remove any glue squeeze-out with a putty knife or chisel after it

lingers in one spot for too long, so take care to keep boards moving on the tablesaw, and don’t let your router stall in mid-pass. Cherry sands easily, but use fresh abrasives, and do not to let a sander linger,

thickens. Waiting until it dries may remove wood, too. Wiping it off wet can spread glue into the wood.

■■ Don’t use a coarse abrasive like 80-grit sandpaper on cherry if you can avoid it.

Start with 120-grit to prevent excessive surface scratching.

■■ For staining, remember that the coarser the grit you end up using, the darker

the stain will be (and vice versa).

■■ You can remove excessive gel stain (if it gets too dark) with a cloth dampened

in paint thinner.

or else you may scorch the wood.

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

19

AMERICAN CHESTNUT Recovering a legend

Native American Woods

BY UDO SCHMIDT

The distinctive toothed leaves of the American chestnut inspired the Latin name, C. dentada.

blight killed off most of these

A

It is relatively lightweight, but strong

about 400 species of trees and

massive beauties decades

and easily worked with hand and

shrubs, with approximately 50 of

ago. But woodworkers still enjoy

power tools. It is also resistant

them in North America. The most

working with salvaged chestnut,

to decay. Its primary use was for

recognized are the oaks, beeches,

and there is hope on the horizon for

house and barn sidings, fences, and

and chinkapins.

the species’ recovery.

poles. In areas where the tree was plentiful, the wood was used for

Early times

fire. Jack Frost nipping at your

anything from fine furniture to fuel

The native growth range of

nose.” We all know these traditional

for the fireplace.

the American chestnut covered a

“Chestnuts roasting on an open

Christmas lyrics, but the American

large part of the eastern U.S., with

chestnut tree offered much more

resource for the leather industry.

heavy concentration along the

than a fading seasonal memory.

In some areas, half of the tannin

Appalachian Mountains from New

When there was an abundance

used to make leather came

England to northern Georgia. It

of these large trees, the sweet

from the chestnut tree. Another

could adapt to a variety of

chestnut was a cash crop for many

industry based on the chestnut

site conditions, but preferred

eastern Americans. The nuts were

was charcoal making.

sandy loam.

stored and eaten year-round by humans and animals.

The wood of the chestnut is compared to the western redwood.

20

Chestnut was also a major

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

American chestnut and its two

The flowers of the chestnut

cousins, the Chinese and European

appeared in June through July with

chestnut, belong to the beech

creamy-yellow blossoms.

family. This family consists of

Some mountain ranges were so

heavily populated with the tree, some people said they looked like they were covered in snow.

The average chestnut tree grew to a height of 120' with a diameter of 7'.

Old photographs and stumps show trees 20' in diameter. The lumber cut from one of these massive logs filled an entire railroad car.

The plight of the chestnut A bark disease called chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, was first discovered in the Bronx Zoo in New York in 1904.

These fungus spores are carried by air, insects, and birds and enter the tree through cracks and wounds in the bark. The disease spreads inside and girdles the tree. Death above the infected area occurs in two to

isolated, unreachable logs remained

ranges from grayish brown to brown

10 years. The root system stays alive

on the ground throughout its

and develops a rich patina with age.

and new sprouts appear, but are

growing range. Wandering deep

killed again as soon as the new tree

into the national forests of the

is wormy, which gives it a rustic

reaches a certain age.

eastern U.S., one might still find

appearance. It works easily with hand

a chestnut tree on the ground,

and power tools, but splits easily.

covered with moss.

Screws must be predrilled. All the

The blight spread so rapidly that despite federal, state, and local

Most available chestnut lumber

efforts, most of the chestnut trees

Many efforts were made to save

lumber available today is reclaimed

where infected by 1930. Because

the tree and breed a blight-resistant

from home sites or other buildings.

of the wood’s high resistance to

strain. By 1960, most state and

decay, dead trees continued to

federal programs had been halted.

stand for up to two decades. Many

A private, non-profit organization,

areas were called ghost forests.

The American Chestnut Foundation,

AMERICAN CHESTNUT QUICK TAKE

During the dying stage and after

was formed in June 1983 by a group

Cost

High

the trees where dead, they became

of scientists and concerned citizens.

Weight

Relatively light

prime targets for insect attacks. A

The organization wishes to breed the

Hardness

Moderate

particularly virulent attack came

American chestnut with the blight-

Stability

Moderate

from the two-lined chestnut borer,

resistant Chinese chestnut using the

Durability

Resistant to decay

Agrilus bilineatus.

“backcross method,” a method of

Strength

Moderate

genetic modification proven in crops,

Toxicity

None (but note that other types of chestnut can cause skin irritation)

Tool type

Hand and power tools

Common uses

Reclaimed lumber, furniture, siding, shingles, flooring

Most of the harvest of dead trees was punctured with wormholes,

but never used on trees.

but still sound and used as building

American chestnut is a ring-

material in all kinds of applications.

porous hardwood that resembles

By the 1950s, most of the chestnut

red oak and white ash in grain and

was harvested and only a few

texture, but is much softer. Its color

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Native American Woods

American chestnut lumber available today is reclaimed and almost always wormy.

Many find it easy to work and like its rustic appearance.

21

Pecky

Old-growth sinker

CYPRESS Bountiful belle of the bottomlands

BY PETE STEPHANO

Native American Woods

CONSULTANT: GREG ARCENEAUX

n interesting tree, the cypress:

A

History in woodworking

botanically, it’s “baldcypress,”

Due to its durability, cypress

and although classified as a conifer,

has traditionally been employed

and thus a softwood, it annually

for anything subjected to the

sheds its needles as do hardwood

elements—small boats, ship

deciduous trees, a trait shared with

decking, shingles, house siding,

only one other species, the larch.

docks, outdoor furniture, and more.

Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Although cypress benefits from the

isn’t really a true cypress either.

same decay-resistant qualities as

Instead, it belongs to the tree family that includes California’s coastal redwood.

and still is crafted into cabinets, fine

Unlike most trees, cypress prefers wetlands. In the swamps

Cost

Moderate

Weight

Moderate

Hardness

Moderate

Stability

High

Durability

High

Strength

Moderate

Toxicity

None, but a possible sensitizer

redwood and cedar, it is harder and

Tool type

Hand and power tools

stronger. This handsome wood was

Common uses

Small boats, cabinets, light construction, doors, indoor and outdoor furniture, millwork

furniture, flooring, paneling, and exposed structural features.

of the deep South, it grows shallow

22

CYPRESS QUICK TAKE

in color than the “yellow” cypress

serpentine roots that spread out

Where the wood comes from

wood from other bottomland areas

horizontally to anchor it. Occasional

Cypress grows mostly in wetlands

of its range.

protrusions of these roots above

from southernmost Illinois to the

water are called “knees” and are

Gulf Coast and up the eastern

the Gulf of Mexico yielded as much

eagerly sought by crafters to

seaboard to Delaware (about half

as 100,000 board feet of lumber

transform into novelties. But it is

the annual harvest originates in

per acre! Today, remnants of those

wood from its trunk that grabs

the South and one-quarter from

great old-growth trees are salvaged

woodworkers’ attention—cypress

the South Atlantic states). Lumber

from lakes, rivers, and swamps, then

rates among the top North

from trees growing in the deep gulf

dried and sold as “sinker” cypress.

American woods in decay

swamps of Louisiana, Alabama,

Recycled cypress timbers from

resistance and durability when

Georgia, and Florida is marketed

barns, factories, and warehouses

exposed to weather.

as “tidewater” cypress. It’s redder

become woodworking stock too.

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

At one time, cypress stands along

There’s also “pecky” cypress that

recycled timbers will have tighter

has been subjected to a fungus

grain and contain more of the

attack that leaves behind small,

extractives that ward off decay.

shallow, bug-like holes. The wood

Flatsawn sapwood boards display

proves sound, however, and in

“cathedral” grain with a distinct

demand for decorative use such

contrast between earlywood and

as wall paneling.

latewood, making the boards much more difficult to stain.

Purchasing tips

IT’S A FACT ■■ The largest baldcypress recorded

in North America grows on Cat Island, Louisiana. It’s 96' tall and has a diameter of nearly 20'.

■■ Baldcypress lives a long time.

Some stands of tidewater cypress have been estimated to be upwards of 1,000 years old.

Working cypress in the shop

Deciding on the right finish

hardwood-grading rules apply

Although light at 28 lbs. per cubic

Several coats of a penetrating

to cypress, as follows: Select &

foot air-dry, cypress is moderately

oil finish (clear or tinted) suits

Better (S&B), #1 Common, #2

hard and machines much like white

indoor cypress furniture quite well.

Common, and Pecky. Compared

pine. Its straight grain allows you

Outdoor projects benefit from the

to other decay-resistant woods

to work it with hand as well as

same, but use a product with UV

like redwood and cedar, cypress is

power tools. Be aware, though,

protection. Unprotected wood

inexpensive for top grade 4 /4 stock

that heartwood may have an

eventually weathers to a light gray.

Surfaced Two Sides (S2S). Sinker

unpleasant odor.

and Pecky cypress cost a bit more.

■■

If you decide to stain, remember

Ripping and routing. Although

that boards with cathedral grain

However, where the tree grows in

cypress lumber can feel greasy

won’t accept it evenly without first

abundance, cypress lumber prices

or waxy, there’s no pitch or resin

using a conditioner or employing

drop considerably.

to gum up cutting edges. Be sure

a gel stain.

The wood isn’t available in

to take light passes when routing

Cypress also holds paint

plywood, although cypress does

cathedral-grain boards to avoid

exceptionally well and is used

furnish an elegantly-figured veneer

tear-out.

throughout the South for exterior

Jointing. You’ll have no tear-

projects that require paint.

cut from crotch wood that’s called

■■

“faux satine.” It’s expensive as well

out or chipping problems with

as rare.

straight-grained boards, but as

Native American Woods

Even though it is a softwood,

with routing, cathedral-grain

How to select the best stock The more durable cypress

boards require light passes.

■■

Assembly. Cypress’ greasy feel

heartwood is darker than the

won’t hinder gluing. To avoid

sapwood. Avoid mixing the two

splitting, predrill clearance holes

together. Boards sawn from old-

for skews.

Sapwood

growth sinker heartwood and

CYPRESS FINISHING TIP

Heartwood

■■ To add color without blotching, try applying a thin coat of your final oil finish,

letting it dry, and then using an aniline dye. Finish with three or four coats of oil. Rub the surface down with #0000 steel wool between coats.

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

23

ELM The once-common commercial hardwood we almost lost

BY PETE STEPHANO TECHNICAL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN

Native American Woods

E

lm may not be as conspicuous

species, the stock shares similar

and popular as are many of the

qualities, except that rock elm is

“cabinet class” wood species in

harder and heavier. Flatsawn elm

modern-day furnituremaking and

boards can sometimes exhibit a

woodworking. After all, the three

distinctive “W” or bird-feather grain

Elm was even favored for the keels

most common North American

patterns. The wood has open,

of English sailing ships; in fact,

elms represent only about three

coarse grain much like white ash

much American elm was exported

percent of all commercially available

that is most often interlocked,

for that very purpose.

domestic hardwoods. That’s mainly

making it somewhat difficult to

due to the fast-spreading Dutch

work. Although only moderately

when in constant contact with

elm disease of the 1950s and 1960s

strong, elm bends easily, is shock

water, so bored-out elm (along

that devastated millions of stately

resistant, and can take abuse.

with hemlock) logs ended up as

elms from the East Coast to the

below-ground city water pipes in

Midwest, as well as in Great Britain

History in woodworking

and Europe, nearly wiping out the

Elm’s woodworking roots go

species. Since that crisis, disease-

back thousands of years. The first

included wagon wheels and hubs,

resistant elms have been botanically

written references to elm occur

barrel staves and hoops, children’s

created and reintroduced to

in the Mycenaean Period of early

wagons and sleds (it won’t easily

American woodlands.

Greece—lists of military equipment

splinter), agricultural implements,

mention the wood’s use in chariot

tool handles, hockey sticks,

represented as lumber in the U.S.

parts. Centuries-old bows found

boxes, and even baseball bats. In

include American or gray elm

in Europe employed elm—even

contemporary applications, the

(Ulmus Americana), red elm (Ulmus

the famed English longbow was

wood is ideal for steam-bent chair

rubra) also known as slippery elm,

occasionally crafted of it when

parts as well as tabletops

and rock elm (Ulmus thomasii).

bowyers lacked the preferred yew.

and cabinets.

The domestic elm species

Great Britain’s most prominent one is English elm (Ulmus procera), which is called Carpathian elm in continental Europe.

No matter the individual elm

24

Surprisingly, elm resists decay

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

18th-century Europe and America.

In the U.S., elm’s early usage

IT’S A FACT Elm’s interlocked grain adds difficulty to machining, but to some users, it was a blessing. In early America, tough elm was a favorite material for horse barn floors. The grain showed impressive resistance to the wear of horses’ hooves!

Flatsawn red elm

Quartersawn red elm

The much heavier and harder rock

rock elm lumber can show some

In North America, two of elm’s

elm, though, is usually sold apart

staining, which detracts from

principal lumber species—American

from the other elms and can cost a

appearance. And all elm boards

and red—grow from the Midwest

bit more. You may only be able to

can have tiny bird pecks and pin

to the East Coast and southern

find rock elm lumber close to where

knots, both of which are allowed in

Canada to northern Florida. The

it grows. Only some local dealers

grading because neither affects the

smaller rock elm has a range

in the range carry gray or red elm

wood’s performance.

roughly limited to the northern

lumber, so be sure to call around

When selecting boards, be

parts of the Great Lakes states.

before wasting gas. Don’t expect

discriminate concerning quality.

to find it at big box stores and small

Improperly stored elm during

urban lumberyards.

seasoning may show warp and/

English elm grows throughout Great Britain and the temperate regions of the continent. Some

Paperbacked, rotary-cut elm

or twist that may result in working

elm species also grow in Asia

veneer, both American and red, is

problems and waste. After

and Australia. Due to precautions

available by the square foot or 4×8'

purchasing elm boards, be sure to

against the transmittal of Dutch elm

sheet in 10 mm thickness. Thicker

store them in stickered fashion off

disease, you’ll only find English elm

veneer (22 mm) costs more as does

the floor with evenly distributed

burl veneer being sold in the U.S.,

flat sliced and quarter cut. Scarce

weights atop the stack.

and it’s expensive.

Carpathian elm burl veneer may

Native American Woods

Where the wood comes from

be very expensive in comparison,

Purchasing tips

and comes in 4×8' sheets of

The National Hardwood Lumber

10 mm thickness.

Association (NHLA) grades for all

Finally, while English and Asian

ELM QUICK TAKE Cost

Moderate

Weight

About 25% lighter than red oak

Hardness

50% softer than sugar maple

Stability

Moderate

How to select the best stock

Durability

Moderate

are similar to those for hickory

Elm varies slightly in color from

Strength

and pecan in that they allow for

species to species. American and

Moderate (but bends easily)

narrower 4"- and 5"-wide boards

rock elm have a grayer cast to their

Toxicity

None

compared to the minimum 6"-

natural tan heartwood color, while

Tool Type

Hand and power tools

wide boards in the best grades.

red displays a warmer orange-red

Common Uses

Many sellers do not differentiate

color. The sapwood of all three

between red and American elm.

is a very light tan. American and

Cabinets, steam-bent seating, tabletops, tool handles, some small projects

elm except rock elm are somewhat

elm is made into plywood and s

complicated, but you can expect

old in Europe and Asia, you’ll not

to find lumber graded from First

find elm plywood made and sold

and Seconds (FAS; the highest) to

in the U.S.

Common grades (the lowest).

For rock elm, NHLA grades

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

25

HICKORY The tough guy of America’s commercial lumber

BY PETE STEPHANO

few North American hardwoods

A

Another hickory, pecan (Carya

the wood in body frames and

may be stronger than hickory

illinoensis), at one time filled a niche

chassis. The wood saw employment

and a couple may be harder, but of

for quality home and office furniture

in hockey sticks and tennis rackets.

all domestic commercial species

but today is valued more for its

Craftsmen then and now use green

in common use, none matches

annual nut crop than for its lumber.

hickory for making rustic chairs,

Native American Woods

hickory in its combination of hardness, strength, stiffness, and

History in woodworking

the bark for weaving chair seats and

shock resistance (yet it readily

Native Americans looked to hickory

making baskets.

steam-bends). It may have been

wood for bows and its inner bark

the reflection of these traits that

for baskets. The tree also gave them

hickory today is for the handles of

led the Tennessee soldiers under

sustenance with its sweet syrup and

striking tools, because it doesn’t

the command of General Andrew

nut meal. Pioneers relied heavily on

transfer the impact of a blow to the

Jackson to nickname him “Old

the wood for fuel and used hickory

user’s arm. Some hickory finds its way

Hickory” at the battle of New

chips for smoking ham and other

into traditional and rustic furniture,

Orleans in 1815.

meats. As the land was settled,

kitchen cabinets, and flooring.

Surprisingly, each of hickory’s

A significant commercial use of

hickory was shaped into wagon parts

four important commercial species

such as spokes, rims, and hitch trees.

Where the wood comes from

shares those attributes—shagbark

Due to its strength and stiffness,

Hickory grows naturally in a general

(Carya ovata), pignut (Carya glabra),

farm implement makers put hickory

range from the Missouri River

shellbark (Carya laciniosa), and

to good use. So, too, did the earliest

eastward. It’s especially abundant in

mockernut (Carya tomentosa).

automobile makers, which employed

the central states that include the

Hickory sapwood

26

rockers, and other furniture, and use

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Hickory heartwood with sapwood

Hickory heartwood

lower Mississippi Valley, where trees

How to select the best stock

can reach 130' tall with diameters

In the hardwood lumber

of 30" and better. In fact, half of all

trade, hickory and pecan

hickory lumber originates in the

aren’t separated, but specialty

central and mid-Atlantic states; the

wood retailers may do so and

rest comes from the Southern and

then price each differently. Why

South Atlantic states. The greatest

does it make a difference? Hickory

source of pecan is Arkansas, Louisiana,

is not as warm in color as pecan,

Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.

and mixing the two in a project may

Pecan

cause staining problems. So sort by

Purchasing tips

color and grain if you can, and wet

As abundant as it is, hickory ought

the board faces to get a better read.

predrill for screws as the wood

to be dirt cheap. However, its high

For uniform color, select boards that

splits easily.

green shrinkage rate translates into

are all white sapwood or entirely

a slower drying time that increases

of brown heartwood. Boards with

cost. (Note: After kiln-drying,

heartwood and contrasting sapwood

hickory remains quite stable.)

lend a rustic look.

Specialty wood suppliers often

■■

Sanding. Don’t skip grits, or scratches result.

Finishing hickory Hickory tends not to darken

Working hickory in the shop

with age and takes all stains and

Surfaced Two Sides (S2S) to 3⁄4"

Because of hickory’s extreme

finishes equally well. Because of

thick. “Rustic” hickory, with sound

hardness (pecan is less hard), you’ll

the hardness of hickory, sanding

knots and other defects, costs less.

find the wood difficult to work

may take more time. Work through

When you can find pecan lumber,

with hand tools. Expect to sharpen

220 grit. Some woodworkers will

it’s more expensive per board foot.

the cutters in your power tools

wet the wood at this stage to raise

Hickory paper-backed veneer

frequently when milling it. With

the grain, let it dry, and then final-

and 3⁄4" x 4' x 8' sheets of hickory

that understood, keep these added

sand with 320 grit for a smooth,

plywood are also available.

suggestions in mind.

de-whiskered surface. The wood’s

Although hard to locate, pecan

■■

Planing, ripping, routing, and

open grain can be filled to arrive at

plywood in 3⁄4" thickness is priced

jointing. Run hickory through

a glass-smooth, reflective surface

higher than other hickory plywoods.

the planer taking only light cuts

on a tabletop or desktop, though

to avoid tear-out, or drum-sand

a heavy-bodied varnish will do the

HICKORY QUICK TAKE

the wood to avoid the problem

same thing. When staining hickory,

Cost

Average

altogether. Due to its density,

use a test piece to see if you need

Weight

High (much heavier than red oak)

hickory requires a slower feed

a conditioner to prevent blotching.

rate than oak when ripping it on

Many who build hickory furniture

a tablesaw, though it tends to

wipe on three coats of an oil/

burn less than cherry or maple.

varnish mix to finish it or spray on

Also, take extremely light passes

two to three coats of water-based

Hardness

High (about 25% harder than sugar maple)

Stability

High

Durability

High

with the router. Straight-grained

polyurethane or lacquer, sanding

Strength

High

hickory poses no jointing

between applications.

Toxicity

None

problems, but the occasional

Tool type

Power tools with sharp blades and cutters

boards with wavy figure again

Common uses

Cabinets, chairs, flooring, furniture, stools, tool handles, turnings

Native American Woods

carry First and Seconds (FAS) boards

mean taking very light cuts.

■■

Assembly. Hickory cooperates with all adhesives, but be sure to

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

27

HOLLY The world’s whitest hardwood with centuries of tradition

BY PE TE S TEPHANO TECHNIC AL CONSULTANT: L ARRY OSBORN

N

along America’s mid-Atlantic coast

Holly trees can thrive anywhere in

Although Brazil and China claim

coaxes swarms of holly berry-and-

a temperate climate, but the colder

the greatest number, the most

leaf harvesters to ready decorations

the conditions, the smaller the

storied of the species–and the most

for the holiday season. The state

tree. You’ll find American holly (Ilex

familiar to woodworkers–are found

of Delaware embraces holly as the

opaca) growing in tree form from

in Europe and the U.S.

state tree.

east Texas to Florida and north to

early 350 different species of

Native American Woods

holly trees grow worldwide.

Few tree species have such a

Where the wood comes from

Delaware. Further north in southern

long history of folklore and holiday

History in woodworking

New England the species shrinks to

tradition as this evergreen hardwood

Holly has always been used

shrub size.

(which, by the way, has its own

for small items, such as chess

botanical genus: Ilex). England’s

pieces, brush backs and handles,

as fairly abundant. But it’s never a

ancient druids associated the tree’s

treenware, and inlay. In fact, piano

very large tree (50' tall maximum)

shiny, prickly leaves and red berries

keys made of this extremely white

and due to its many branches, holly

with special powers of protection,

wood look like ivory. Its tight grain

trees produce comparatively little

as did the olden day Romans,

and trait of taking a high polish

clear wood. And, as might you

who brought the foliage inside as

made it the choice for loom

might guess, the wood does not

decoration for their celebration of

spinning rods in the 19th-century

constitute a mainstay commercial

the winter solstice. This yuletide

textile industry–the smooth wood

lumber. In fact, where it grows

practice eventually emigrated to

did not snag threads.

the largest, along the mid-Atlantic

England and then to the New World.

IT’S A FACT Once upon a time in England, and later in colonial America, entrepreneurs stripped holly trees of their bark, and then boiled and strained it to obtain a highly adhesive substance called “birdlime.” It was spread on tree branches to capture unwitting songbirds, which were then sold at market as caged pets.

The practice is unlawful today.

28

Today, the coming of winter

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Today’s woodturners love putting

Wherever it grows, holly trees rate

coast, it’s often not even cut for

holly on their lathes, carvers adore

lumber, but instead left to produce

shaping it, and marquetry makers

its annual growth of shiny green

dye it into a host of colors (dyed

leaves and red berries to be used for

black, it’s an ebony look-alike as

holiday decoration.

shown above, right). Luthiers use holly for pegs, fretboards, and other

Purchasing tips

tiny but highly noticeable instrument

You’ll only find holly at specialty

parts. However, due to lack of

wood suppliers, especially for

suitability, the wood is seldom made

turning squares, pencil (as in No. 2

into cabinets or furniture.

Ticonderoga) and pen blanks, and

Holly turning/ carving blank

Rough-sawn holly boards

Surfaced holly board (#1 Common w/knots)

Ebonized holly

carving blocks. Because of holly’s

Holly pen blank

modest trunk diameter, board size will range from 2–10" in width and 3–10' in length, but with many knots (in fact, the wood normally and it’s expensive. Small sheets of

Working holly in the shop

veneer are available for marquetry

This close-grained, fine-textured

but are also costly.

wood is subject to scorching and

HOLLY QUICK TAKE

burning when sawn and machined,

Cost

High

How to select the best stock

so avoid a too-slow feed rate. When

Weight

Holly is a tight, close-grained

drilling, stop often to clean out

Moderate (a little lighter than red oak)

wood with barely discernible grain

the dust from the hole. With holly

Hardness

Moderate (two-thirds as hard as sugar maple)

patterns and absolutely no figure.

boards, expect to work around

Stability

Moderate

Its large band of sapwood is the

knots.

Durability

Low (low regarding decay, modest for wear indoors)

Strength

Moderate

Toxicity

None

Tool type

Power tools and sharp hand tools

Common uses

Accents, carvings, turnings, inlay, jewelry boxes, small musical instrument parts

whitest of any hardwood. The

Holly isn’t hard, but sharp cutting

heartwood is only slightly darker

edges are important when milling

and may show tinges of blue.

holly due to its interlocked grain.

Select boards and pieces based on

Take very light passes when planing,

the fewest number of imperfections

jointing, and routing. Carvers find

(knots) and uniform color with

that it cuts similarly to basswood;

no “blue stain.” This discoloration

turners like how holly shapes easily,

typically appears when holly is

yielding a smooth surface.

harvested during warm weather and

Sanding holly is nearly effortless

seasoning/kiln drying is delayed. Also

as you progress through successive

be mindful that holly is not really that

grits. Achieve a polished surface

stable, so watch for signs of warp

by using fine abrasives. Holly

that could worsen. In small pieces

also bonds well with all types of

for inlay, accents, and so on, this is

adhesives and poses no problems

of little consequence.

when dying, staining, and finishing.

THE ESSENTIAL WOOD BOOK

Native American Woods

grades as #1 Common or below),

29

CRAFTS & HOBBIES: WOODWORKING $27.95 US

RIGHT LUMBER MAKES ALL the DIFFERENCE

The

For any woodworker, carpenter, artist, or maker, knowing what wood to use and how to use it is critical to woodworking success. To that end, The Essential Wood Book makes the basics of using and choosing wood easy to understand. While some wood books are highly scientific or overflowing with exotic or hard-to-find woods that you’ll never use, this handy, user-friendly guide is the perfect resource for anyone seeking straight-forward information about buying and working with the most essential woods needed to tackle any project.

The Essential Wood Book includes: ■■

Helpful info on the most essential native and exotic woods from Ash to Zebrawood.

■■

Expert know-how on lumber grades, buying hardwood lumber, and navigating saw mills.

■■

Essentials of wood movement, squaring up rough lumber, and perfect flat panel glue-ups.

■■

Techniques for salvaging lumber, harvesting your own, and working with wild, discolored, and toxic wood.

■■

Pro tips for drying your lumber and easy-to-make storage projects.