Red Maple, also known as Ambrosia Maple, is a captivating wood with a story as unique as its appearance, especially in our Wormy grade. Red Maple Wormy is a stunning hardwood that boasts a rich character marked by intriguing patterns created by the natural activity of wood-boring insects.

Insects leave distinctive markings as they tunnel through the hardwood, resulting in striking streaks known as “flagging.” These, combined with the charmingly scattered holes, create a one-of-a-kind aesthetic that sets Wormy Maple apart. Tune in to see the beauty of this unique hardwood in the video below.

Beauty and Strength Combined

Beyond its visual appeal, Red Maple Wormy is renowned for its exceptional strength and ease of workability. These qualities make it an ideal choice for crafting a wide range of exquisite pieces, including:

• Distinctive furniture such as tables, chairs, and cabinets
• Custom cabinetry
• Decorative accents

Want to feature the unique beauty and character of Red Maple Wormy hardwood? Use our interactive map to find your region’s dedicated sales rep and get in touch.

You might be familiar with the fact that Earth is full of carbon-based life, but do you really know what it means? You might be wondering yourself or have a kid in your life who’s been pestering you with questions after taking up an interest in science. Have no fear — we’ll give you a crash course in the carbon cycle and put these concepts in simple terms so you can easily share your knowledge with everyone in your life.

What’s the Carbon Cycle?

Carbon is an element that makes up compounds in all life on Earth — so you could say it’s pretty important. As organisms on the plant grow, die, and decompose, they constantly carbon in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) with the atmosphere. This process is the carbon cycle.

How Does the Carbon Cycle Work?

Earth is a closed system. Our atmosphere is thick enough to maintain the conditions life needs to survive, such as water and oxygen. The carbon cycle allows consistent CO2 levels. If there’s too little CO2 in the atmosphere, it doesn’t insulate the planet well enough and temperatures drop. Too much and temperatures can rise. The carbon cycle helps maintain this delicate balance.

If we break it down into simple terms, the carbon cycle is just three steps. Here’s how it works:

• Organisms release carbon: All organisms release carbon throughout their lives, such as when humans breathe.

• The carbon sinks store carbon: As organisms release carbon, it’s stored in carbon sinks, such as hardwood forests, until the next step.

• Organisms absorb carbon from a carbon sink: Organisms use the stored carbon to fuel life processes, such as when plants absorb CO2 as part of photosynthesis.

What’s the Best Way To Explain the Carbon Cycle to Kids?

The best way to explain the carbon cycle to kids is to choose a specific example of how this cycle works. Instead of thinking of the Earth as a closed system where this cycle happens constantly in billions of exchanges, go smaller:

1. A plant absorbs CO2 from the air to make food through photosynthesis.
2. This fuels the plant to grow, storing carbon in the new growth.
3. Eventually, the plant dies and releases CO2 back into the air as it decomposes.
4. A new plant absorbs the same CO2 from the air.

Feel free to use the above example. But if you’re struggling to find your own words, then books are a great resource in environmental education for kids. Looking for the perfect children’s book about nature to make bedtime more educational?

“The Hardwood Heroes” is a story of four tree friends who embark on an adventure to learn their role in sustainability and the important qualities that make them so important to the planet.

Carbon Sequestration: What you need to know

Carbon sequestration refers to the part of the carbon cycle where carbon is captured and stored in a carbon sink. The most common ways carbon is sequestered are:

• Geological: Rocks store carbon as certain minerals react with the CO2 in the atmosphere.

• Biological: Plants absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.

• Oceanic: Aquatic plants and phytoplankton absorb CO2 during photosynthesis. Water also dissolves CO2. 

• Technological: Some man-made inventions, such as chemical compounds, absorb CO2.

Carbon Storage vs. Carbon Sequestration

Carbon storage and carbon sequestration are very similar, so it’s easy to mix them up. In easy terms, carbon storage usually refers to the amount of carbon stored in a carbon sink. Carbon sequestration refers to the process of a carbon sink absorbing that carbon.

Support the Carbon Cycle with Lumber from Gutchess

If there’s anything we can learn from the carbon cycle, it’s that the Earth is in a delicate balance. As lumber manufacturers who truly take the health of this planet seriously, we do everything we can to support carbon sequestration and proper forest management.

The next time you’re looking for the right lumber provider for your business, choose Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc., and know that you’re making a better choice for both your customers and your planet.

Built for strength and durability, our 8/4 Cherry Hardwood is a great choice for flooring, furniture, and cabinet manufacturers.

This week, we are going through one of our 5/4 Hickory F&B packs. This species is known for having bird pecks, which flooring manufacturers and consumers often desire. Listen in as Noah flips through the pack, reviewing the characteristics and the environmental benefits.

Hickory Hardwood FAQ

What makes Hickory wood a popular choice for hardwood products?

Hickory lumber is renowned for its hardness, strength, and shock resistance. It’s a durable and attractive wood, often chosen for flooring, cabinetry, and tool handles. It also displays unique character markings like bird pecks, which many find desirable.

Where does Gutchess Lumber source its hardwood?

Gutchess Lumber sources its hardwood from the northern Appalachian region of the United States in the proximity of its New York and Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities.

What are the environmental benefits of using Hickory?

Using real wood products like Hickory stores carbon, helping to mitigate climate change. Additionally, sourcing from sustainably managed forests ensures the long-term health of our forests.

Does Gutchess Lumber offer other hardwood species?

Yes, Gutchess Lumber offers other hardwood species besides Hickory. See each of the Northern hardwood species we offer here.

What thicknesses of Hickory does Gutchess Lumber offer?

We stock 4/4, 5/4, and 8/4 in this hardwood species and other thicknesses in other species.

What is “bird peck”?

Bird peck refers to small markings or indentations in the wood grain caused by birds pecking at the tree. These markings are a natural characteristic of Hickory and are often considered desirable, adding character and uniqueness to the wood.

Can I purchase hardwood directly from Gutchess Lumber?

You can purchase truckload and container quantities of hardwood directly from Gutchess Lumber. Please note that Gutchess Lumber does not sell small quantities of Hickory wood or any hardwood species; it must be purchased in either truckload or container quantities. Gutchess ships its hardwood products worldwide. If you are looking for smaller quantities and are in the Latrobe area, check out our brand Forest 2 Home.

At Gutchess Lumber, we’re proud to have a team of dedicated employee-owners who have been with us for over 20 years. These seasoned hardwood lumber professionals are more than just employees; they’re part of our family.

Our commitment to providing the highest quality hardwood is deeply rooted in our history since our founding in 1904. By employing experienced sawmill professionals and utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we ensure that every board of hardwood we produce meets the highest standards.

Meet the Faces Behind the Finest Hardwood

Tune in to hear Noah Barber talk about our Spotlight Species of the Week 4/4 Wormy Ash. This product is commonly used in furniture, cabinets, and tables. What makes our sort different is that our grade is select and better over the wormholes.

Sugar Maple trees grow abundantly and are popular for what is on the inside- Maple Syrup and Hard Maple lumber! Hard Maple lumber has common uses in furniture, hardwood flooring, cabinets, sports equipment, kitchen accessories and more, allowing for this light-colored lumber to be featured in each aspect of your home. Hailing from the Sugar Maple tree, this incredible wood is a staple species that Gutchess Lumber manufactures.

Sugar Maple growth

The Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum) tree grows throughout the Eastern United States, Canada, and the Great Lake states, specifically: through central Ontario, the southern third of Quebec, all of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania, the mid-Atlantic states, extending southwest to New Jersey and to the Appalachian Mountains, downward to the western edge of North Carolina and the Southern border of Tennessee. The western limit for Hard Maple lumber growth extends through Missouri and into small areas of Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota. There are a few outliers of Sugar Maple hardwood growth in Kansas, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Its ideal growing climate is cool and moist which is why it is restricted to these regions. That said, it can grow on sand, loamy sand, loams, and silt but it does best on well-drained loams. It does not grow well on dry, shallow soil and is very rarely found it swampland.

Early growth of Sugar Maple trees is slow as they often are regenerating under heavy canopies and shade, though of deciduous trees, they are among the most shade tolerant. The minimum seed-bearing age for Sugar Maples is roughly 30-years. Sugar Maples are a long-living tree, typically reaching 200-years to 300-years in age. The areas in which they reside, where they are hard freezes in the winter for proper dormancy, encourage this slow and long life.

Difference between Hard Maple and Red Maple grain

Differences between Hard Maple and Soft Maple

Hardwood species are classified by the seeds the tree produces. Each hardwood tree species has a coating that takes the shape of a fruit or a shell that becomes a flowering plant. These flowering seeds are known as angiosperm, which translates in Greek to “vessel seed.” Additionally, hardwood trees lose and regrow their leaves annually, making them deciduous.

They differ from softwood trees, as trees classified as softwoods seeds do not have any coating and are instead, dropped to the ground to deal with the elements. Examples of softwood tree seeds are needles and cones that are dubbed gymnosperm, meaning “naked seed.” Except for the Larch tree species, all softwood trees retain their needles year-round, making them evergreen trees.

That said, “Hard Maple” and “Soft Maple” do hold distinct meanings when referencing the tree species. The term “soft maple” is used to reference several different types of maple trees, including Red Maple, while “Hard Maple” specifically references the lumber that comes from the Sugar Maple tree and, on occasion, the Black Maple tree. Both Soft Maple and Hard Maple are harvested from dicot trees, making them both hardwoods. Soft Maple wood comes in many varieties and is 25% softer than Hard Maple wood.

Difference between Oak and Maple wood

Appearance and hardness are the biggest differences between Oak and Maple wood. Maple wood appears less “grainy”, has smaller pores compared to Oak wood, and is a white or cream colored hardwood. Oak wood has a distinct grain pattern and colors that range from a yellow-white to reddish brown, depending on the species. In terms of hardness, Hard Maple hardwood has a Janka hardness score of 1450, while Soft Maple has a hardness score of 950. Red Oak scores 1290 and White Oak scores 1360 on the Janka hardness scale. You must know which species you are comparing to determine the specific difference between Oak and Maple wood.

Hard Maple density

The Janka Hardness Scale is used to determine the relative hardness for domestic wood species, like Hard Maple hardwood. The test measures the amount of force that is required to embed a 11.28mm steel ball halfway into a piece of wood. While the Janka Hardness Scale is traditionally used to determine whether a wood species is suitable for flooring, it is a good measure of determining a wood species resistance to wear and its overall durability. Wood species with a higher number rating are harder than wood species with a lower rating. The data from the Janka Hardness Scale is expressed in pounds-force, or lbf.

On the Janka Hardness Scale, the Hard Maple hardwood species rating is the highest of all the Maple hardwood species. Hard Maple has a Janka Hardness Scale value of 1,450, while its soft maple relative, the Red Maple, has a rating of 950 lbf.  When compared with other hardwood species, Hard Maple wood falls in the middle of the Janka Hardness Scale. It is less durable that Red Oak wood and White Oak wood but marginally more durable than Cherry wood.

Different types of Maple wood

• Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): this maple hardwood species is one of two hard maple wood types. It is also the first choice for those seeking to make maple syrup. It grows to a height of 50 to 80 feet, is abundant throughout the Northeastern and Southern United States and Northeastern Canada, and is one of the species of maple that Gutchess Lumber manufactures.
• Black Maple (Acer nigrum): this maple hardwood is the second of two hard maple wood types. It is incredibly closely related to the standard Sugar Maple tree and as such, is commonly known as the Black Sugar Maple. This Maple hardwood species grows between 80-115 feet tall in the Northeastern and Southern United States and Northeastern Canada.
• Red Maple (Acer rubrum): dubbed for its red leaves in the autumn, the Red Maple tree also is known as the Scarlet Maple, the Soft Maple, the Drummond Red Maple, the Carolina Red Maple, the Swamp Maple, the Trident Red Maple and the Water maple. It is a soft maple hardwood tree that grows from 30 to 100 feet in its native area of the Eastern United States and Canada.
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): like the Red Maple, the Silver Maple gets its name from the leaf color, with the underside of its leaves reflecting a silver flash in the wind. It goes by various names regionally, including the Soft Maple, the Creek Maple, the River Maple, the White Maple and the Water Maple. Growing from 50 ft to 100 ft in its native region of the Eastern United States and Canada, this Maple tree type is over of the most abundant.

Birdseye Maple vs Spalted Maple

Maple wood species are commonly referred to by other names. While these names, like Birdseye Maple and Spalted Maple are popular, they are indicative of character traits of the lumber and are not, in fact, a Maple species.

Birdseye Maple, sometimes written as bird’s eye maple, was given its name due to the tiny knots in the grain that resemble a small birds eye. Birdseye Maple is in actuality Hard Maple lumber. The figuring of the lumber is caused by an unfavorable growing condition for the tree and as the tree makes repeated attempts to start numerous new buds to increase the amount of sunlight it is receiving, with the poor growing conditions the new shoots are abandoned and a number of tiny knots remain. The “defect” created by these growing conditions make for a incredible Birdseye Maple boards.

Like Birdseye Maple, Spalted Maple refers to a defect created by growing conditions and not a wood species itself. Spalting is a fungal discoloration of wood, not exclusive to the Hard Maple wood species. Spalted Maple can be found in wood that has begun its initial stages of decay and then subsequently dired to prevent further decay. Spalted Maple, otherwise known as Black Line Maple, is referred to as the latter because of the dark, contrasting lines and streaks created by fungus in decaying wood.

Birdseye Maple and Spalted Maple are similar in the way that they are both common defects produced in the Maple hardwood species. They have become so common that they fall in line with the actual tree species that fall in the wood type. While they share similarities in being defects, the Birdseye defect is most notable in Hard Maple wood, while Spalting can be commonly found in Sycamore Trees, Beech trees, Birch trees, Hickory trees and others.

Cherry wood is one of the most prized hardwood species. Hailing from North America, Cherry wood has its roots in all aspects of life; from fine furniture to custom cabinetry, to flooring, to musical instruments, to small scale woodworking, wood carving and wood turning projects. Well-loved and sought after by interior design professionals, furniture manufacturers, cabinet makers, and others, this hardwood species has earned its recognition thanks to its workability, beautiful grain, and magnificent color. Cherry has become a staple for several Gutchess customers, and we understand why.

Cherry tree lore

Not only has the Cherry tree made roots in various areas of woodworking and interior design, but it has had a presence in story telling for centuries! By far, the most well-known myth of the Cherry tree in the United States comes from our first president, George Washington.

While Washington’s Cherry tree legend has gone through different iterations over the years, the long-standing narrative is that young Washington received a hatchet and cut down a Cherry tree that he was not meant to. When confronted, Washington was honest about the damage he had caused. George Washington’s candor in admitting his mistakes solidified his reputation as a virtuous and honest leader. While the legend has been debunked and rebuked, the myth has endured for more than 200-years and is an integral part of America’s cultural heritage. The presence of the Cherry tree in that myth speaks to the importance of the Cherry trees enduring presence in all aspects of North America.

Cherry wood growth

The Black Cherry tree (Prunus serotina) is native to North America and some areas of South America. Specifically, it grows from southeastern Canada, through the eastern United States, west towards eastern Texas, with smaller populations within central Texas, the southwestern United States, Mexico and Guatemala. The main commercial areas of Cherry tree growth in the United States include Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York.

The growing conditions in which the Cherry tree thrives include moist but well drained soil and full sun to partial shade. The Black Cherry tree has general climate resilience with the ability to bare the incredible cold. Though considered a medium sized tree, the Black Cherry tree can grow between 25 feet and 110 feet, though the more common height range is between 50 feet and 60 feet.

In part due to its malleability through various growing conditions, as well as the wide distribution of the seeds of its fruit by birds, the Black Cherry tree has always been in abundance in North America.

Are Cherry trees hardwood trees?

Hardwood species are classified by the seeds the tree produces. Each hardwood tree species has a coating that takes the shape of a fruit or a shell that becomes a flowering plant. These flowering seeds are known as angiosperm, which translates in Greek to “vessel seed.” Additionally, hardwood trees lose and regrow their leaves annually, making them deciduous trees.

They differ from softwood trees, as trees classified as softwood’s seeds do not have a coating and are instead dropped to the ground to deal with the elements. Examples of softwood tree seeds are needles and cones that are dubbed gymnosperm, meaning “naked seed.” Except for the Larch tree species, all softwood trees retain their needles year-round, making them evergreen trees.

Cherry trees fruit contains a pit, or seed, that is transplanted into the soil and grows the tree. These kinds of seeds are those known as angiosperm and make Cherry trees deciduous, hardwood trees.

Cherry density

The Janka Hardness Scale is used to determine the relative hardness for domestic wood species, like Cherry wood. The test measures the amount of force that s required to embed a 11.28mm steel ball halfway into a piece of wood. While the Janka Hardness Scale is traditionally used to determine whether a wood species is suitable for flooring, it is a good measure of determining a wood species resistance to wear and its overall durability. Wood species with a higher number rating are harder than wood species with a lower rating. The data from the Janka Hardness Scale is expressed in pounds-force, or lbf.

On the Janka Hardness Scale, the ranking for standard Cherry hardwood is 950 lbf. While there are various types of Cherry wood, they all generally rank around 950 lbf, unlike Walnut wood, with its different wood types by region having significantly different hardness levels. Thanks to its medium density, Cherry wood has good bending properties, low stiffness, and medium shock resistance, allowing it to withstand wear and dents well.

Cherry wood grain

The grain of Cherry wood lends to its workability. Cherry wood features a fine, straight grain with the exception of figured pieces with curly grain patterns or when defects from pith, mineral deposits, gum pockets and knots arise. Cherry hardwood endgrain features small to medium pores with random arrangement. Growth rings are generally distinct.

Different kinds of Cherry wood

It is important to distinguish between the Cherry wood types, as in reality, they hail from distinctly different trees in distinctly different regions. Commonly known Cherry wood types include:

• Black Cherry (Prunus serotina): Black Cherry wood is mainly manufactured in Eastern North America and the Cherry wood that you will find here at Gutchess Lumber. Commonly known names for Black Cherry wood include American Cherry, Rum Cherry, and Wild Cherry. When settlers first came to the United States, colonial furniture builders referred to it as “New England Mahogany” due to its tendency to change color after sunlight exposure. Black Cherry wood has heartwood of a light pinkish brown color that darkens to a medium reddish brown when exposed to lights. The sapwood of the Black Cherry tree is a pale, yellow color.
• Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium): otherwise known as European Cherry wood, this species is mainly found in Europe and Asia. Its stature is smaller in comparison to that of the Black Cherry tree with heights that reach between 32 feet and 65 feet tall. The heartwood and sapwood of the Sweet Cherry tree is consistent in color with that of the Black Cherry tree.
• Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata): native to China, Korea and Japan, this flowering tree is likely the first that comes to mind when Cherry trees are mentioned outside the context of woodworking. Alternative names for the Japanese Flowering Cherry tree include the Oriental Cherry, Hill Cherry, East Asian Cherry and Japanese Cherry. The sapwood of this tree is pale pinkish brown to creamy with the heartwood being brown with gold and green hues.
• Paperback Cherry (Prunus serrula): the Paperback Cherry tree, otherwise known as the Birchback Cherry or Tibetian Cherry hails from Western China. It grows from 20 feet to 30 feet tall, skewing it to be one of the smaller Cherry trees. The Paperback Cherry tree is an ornamental tree, thanks to its distinct bark that is peels in layers to reveal smooth, mahogany colors.
• Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus): this Cherry tree is almost exclusively grown for the fruit it produces which is why it has obtained the alternative names of Pie Cherry and Tart Cherry. Native to Europe and southwest Asia, these types of Cherry trees can reach up to 50 feet tall but are consistently pruned and kept between 12 feet and 15 feet tall.

There are many other “Cherry” types that fall outside the Prunus genus that the Black Cherry tree falls into. These types trees, while not technically within the same species, are categorized as Cherry thanks to their similar properties. They include:

• Brazilian Cherry (Hymenaea courbaril): despite its little relation to the Black Cherry tree, the Brazilian Cherry tree, otherwise known as Jatoba, has its name thanks to its color resemblance. Located in the West Indies, northern South America and Central America, these trees can grow between 100 feet and 130 feet tall.
• Patagonian Cherry (Guibourtia hymenaeifolia): otherwise referred to as Tiete Rosewood, this tree actually hails from the rose family. Native to South America, this tree can grow between 130 feet and 165 feet tall. The Patagonian Cherry trees wood is dense and hard to work with but its color greatly resembles that of the Black Cherry tree with its pinkinsh brown to light orange color.
• Barbados Cherry (Malpighia galbra): known by several names, including Wild Crapemyrtle, Acerola, Manzanita and more, this tree can be found from south Texas, through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The Barbados Cherry obtained its Cherry association through the fruit that is produced, though the resemblance to the Black Cherry tree ends there as this species is a shrub, growing to 3 feet to 6 feet in height.
• Chilean Cherry (Nothofagus dombeyi): this “Cherry” tree is part of the Beech tree family, though it closely resembles the Black Cherry tree to the point where they can easily be mistaken for one another. The Chilean Cherry tree is otherwise referred to as Coigue and is native to Chile and Argentina.

What are the different uses of Cherry wood?

Yellow Birch is a great choice when you’re looking for the perfect hardwood for your next project. It is known for its versatility, durability, and natural beauty, which makes it a popular choice for woodworkers and builders who build long-lasting products. Let’s explore its characteristics and why Yellow Birch is a great option for high-quality hardwood projects.

Is Yellow Birch a Good Hardwood?

Yellow Birch hardwood has a Janka hardness rating of 1,260 lbf. It can withstand daily wear and tear, which makes it top material to use for products that will last a lifetime. Yellow Birch machines quickly and works well when carried for. It dries slowly with little degradation, but it has a moderately high shrinkage, so there is a chance it could move in performance. Also, Yellow Birch hardwood takes stains and polishes very well. Here’s a comparison of oiled versus not oiled Yellow Birch lumber.

Not Oiled:

Oiled:

What are the Characteristics of a Yellow Birch Tree?

The wood of yellow birch has a distinct difference between the sap, which is white, and the heartwood, which tends to be a light reddish-brown, with nearly white sapwood. There is no color distinction between annual growth rings, but it gives a uniform appearance. The grain is generally straight or slightly wavy, with a fine, even texture.

What is Yellow Birch Wood used for?

Yellow Birch is heavy, hard, strong, versatile, and highly valued in woodworking. Its smooth texture and durability make it ideal material for a lot of products like:

• Furniture: Yellow Birch adds an elegant touch and produces high-quality, long-lasting pieces.

• Cabinetry: A popular option that gives any cabinet beauty and functionality. The natural look of Yellow Birch pairs great with simple finishes and acts neutral pairing for you to add color through your backsplash or countertops.

• Flooring: Yellow Birch hardwood flooring is durable and resistant to scratches, perfect for high-traffic areas like household and corporate buildings. It’s one the most popular choices for homeowners installing new hardwood floors.

• Millwork: Used for detailed and decorative woodwork like small decor or crown moldings.

According to USDA NRCS, the sap of yellow birch can be tapped for use as edible syrup. Tea is sometimes made from the twigs and/or inner bark. Researchers at Cornell University conducted a sap study on Birch syrup and its sample tasted like a mix of fruity-tart and complex caramelized sugar flavors reminiscent of raspberries, tart-cherry juice, apple-butter and molasses.

At Gutchess Lumber, we offer premium-quality, sustainable Yellow Birch hardwood sourced within a 100-mile radius (62 km) of our manufacturing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania. We are committed to providing the best-of-the-best hardwood to bring your products to life.

Hardwood trees play a significant role in the American landscape, forestry, environment, and the economy. These trees are used as materials for a wide variety of products, from the furniture we put into our homes and buildings to the floors we walk on. They also help minimize America’s carbon footprint when they are used to make hardwood products.

Hundreds of hardwood trees grow in different regions in the United States, each with unique characteristics and uses. Some of North America’s most common hardwood tree species are oaks, maple, hickory, birch, beech, ash, poplar, and cherry.

What Types of Trees are Hardwood Trees?

Most hardwood trees are deciduous and shed their leaves annually. Hardwoods have broad leaves from coniferous trees%20with%20true%20cones) with needles and cones. These trees grow slowly and have tighter grain and higher density, making them ideal for applications requiring strength and durability.

Characteristics of Hardwood Trees

1. Density and Hardness:

• Density: Hardwoods are heavy and strong because their fibers are closely packed.
• Hardness: Hardwood trees are measured by the Janka Hardness Test, which tests their durability and strength.

2. Grain Patterns:

• Hardwood trees have distinct grain patterns that range from straight to wavy. This variety contributes to the aesthetic appeal of hardwood products in furniture, flooring, and decor.

3. Durability and Strength:

• The high density and hardness of hardwood trees are a testament to their long-lasting performance, making them suitable for high-use products.

The Five Most Common Hardwood Trees in the US

North America’s forests grow hundreds of varieties of hardwood in various temperate climates, including the top five most common species: oak, ash, cherry, maple, and poplar.

1. Oak (Red and White Oak)

Red oak and white oak hardwood trees are the most common hardwood trees in the US. Red oak trees grow fast and have bigger pores, giving the hardwood an open grain and a red tone. White oak trees grow slower and have a finer grain, giving a smoother finish and texture. These trees live a long time, sometimes up to hundreds of years.

Uses: Oak wood is known for its versatility and is used as a top material to make:

• Furniture: The strength and beauty of red or white oak make it a popular choice for durable and long-lasting furniture.
• Flooring: Oak’s hardness and resistance to wear and tear make it ideal for high-traffic areas.
• Cabinetry: The distinctive grain characteristics and durability make it a top material for cabinets and kitchens.
• Barrels: Oak is also used in wine and whiskey barrels and can add flavor and texture.

 

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Special Characteristics:

• Red Oak: Our Red Oak at Gutchess Lumber comes from preferred areas of prime timberland within about a 100-mile radius (62 km) of our manufacturing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania. Red Oak is strong, durable, easy to work with, and consistent in color and texture.
• White Oak: Gutchess Lumber White Oak has a light brown heartwood and slightly paler sapwood. It is strong, tough, dense, tight-grained, durable, and beautiful. Our White Oak hardwood is harvested from prime timberland in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Kiln-dried White Oak is rated as one of the best hardwoods for machining and steam bending.

2. Ash

White Ash grows to 80 feet with a crown that spreads over 50 feet wide. Its lumber turns well and retains such strength that it has been the hardwood choice for many high-end, long-lasting products.

Uses:

• Furniture: Ash is used to make furniture, tool handles, guitar bodies, and lobster traps.
• Flooring: Ash’s wear-and-tear resilience, bright white sapwood, light tan heartwood, and uniform appearance make it a popular choice for flooring in households and buildings.
• Cabinetry: Ash is used for high-quality cabinetry.
• Sports Equipment: It has been the hardwood of choice for making equipment like baseball bats and longbows.

Special Characteristics:

• Smooth Grain: White Ash hardwood features a smooth, consistent grain that takes stain and finishes well.
• Light Color: The wood is typically light in color, ranging from pale yellow to light brown, which makes it versatile to fit different interior designs.

3. Cherry

Black Cherry can grow between 25 feet and 110 feet in height, but the more common height range is between 50 feet and 60 feet. Black Cherry hardwood is malleable, and the wide distribution of the seeds of its fruit by birds makes it abundant in North America.

Uses: Black Cherry wood is used and known for its elegance and versatility in high-quality applications like:

• Furniture: Its rich color and smooth grain make it a great choice for crafting high-end furniture.
• Cabinetry: Black cherry hardwood’s durability and aesthetic are popular for custom cabinetry.

Special Characteristics:

Black Cherry wood features a fine, straight grain with small to medium pores arranged randomly. Its wood growth rings are distinct, and the wood ranges in color from light pink-brown to medium reddish-brown.

 

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4. Maple (Soft and Hard Maple)

Hard and Soft Maple hardwood trees are known for their broad leaves and vibrant fall colors. Soft Maple grows between 30 feet to 100 feet in height in its native area of the Eastern United States and Canada. Hard Maple hardwood species grow from 50 to 80 feet and are abundant throughout the Northeastern United States and Northeastern Canada.

Uses:

• Soft Maple: Used for less formal furniture, cabinetry, and millwork due to its workability and lower cost.
• Hard Maple: Used for high-end furniture, flooring, and musical instruments because of its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It is also used for gym and basketball courts, bowling alleys, bowling pins, rolling pins, and other turnings, skateboard decks, baseball bats, billiard cues, cutting blocks, and a variety of musical instruments.

Special Characteristics:

• Soft Maple: Soft Maple has a similar appearance to Hard Maple. Its close-grained sapwood is creamy white, and its heartwood is reddish-brown. The grain of soft Maple Hardwood is often dotted with flecks. Figured grain is less common but highly prized for certain product applications. Gutchess’ Soft Maple lumber is 100% soft-leaf maple.
• Hard Maple: Hard Maple wood features a fine, even-textured grain that can be straight or wavy. Its color ranges from white to cream to reddish or golden-hued.

 

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5. Poplar

Poplar lumber grows between 130 feet and 160 feet tall and has a trunk diameter of 6 feet to 8 feet. It is very low-density and softer, with a Janka Hardness rating of 540 lbf.

Uses:

• Furniture: Poplar wood is used to make inexpensive furniture and cabinetry.
• Plywood: Its lightweight and workability make it a common choice for plywood.
• Millwork: Poplar is used for moldings, trims, and other decorative millwork because of its smooth surface.

Special Characteristics:

Poplar is a light, soft hardwood with a white or light green sapwood cast. Its wood color features a light cream-to-yellow-brown heartwood and pale yellow-to-white sapwood, along with a straight, uniform grain. It is generally free of dark mineral streaks found in southern species.

Gutchess Lumber Poplar lumber is harvested from prime timberland in the northern Appalachian region of Pennsylvania. Poplar hardwood machines easily and takes paints and stains well.

At Gutchess Lumber, we recognize the five most common hardwood trees in the United States: oak, ash, cherry, maple, and poplar. Whether you’re building furniture, flooring, decor, or any hardwood product, these hardwoods offer the strength, durability, and beauty you need to create long-lasting, timeless products.

We offer 11 species of northern hardwoods, where each hardwood species is native to the northeast United States. We oversee tens of thousands of acres of prime timberland and seven facilities across New York and Pennsylvania to produce Gutchess Lumber. Our products come from the best hardwood forests and timberlands in the northeast, several of which we have owned and managed for generations.