Hackberry: a sometimes substitute for ash

IJACKBERRY (Celtis occiden- I ltalis), a hardwood native to many parts of the united states, is becoming increasingly acceptable commercially because of its strong resemblance to ash when finished.

Growing in both the lowlands and uplands, swamps and slopes, it is found on the East Coast from New England to Virginia, West through Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas, and South in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

A large tree, it is fast growing with leaves much like those of an elm. It produces a small berrylike fruit which is responsible for it also being called the sugarberry tree.

Although the heartwood is brown, both streaked and solid, the sapwood is white with an appearance similar to ash. The pattern is much the same as ash but with a softer luster.

Hackberry is exceptionaily lieht. Air dried it weighs 3Vz lbs. per board foot. Ash, in comparison, weighs 4lbs.

In the trade, hackberry is considered an equal to ash structurally, The Fine Hardwood Selectorama lists it at 145 for shock resisting ability and a compressive strength of 72. This poor tensile strength is responsible for its tendency to curve when ripped. Another defect is the tendency to fuzz when sanded. Also a problem is the build-up of silica causing a saw to burn. This is said to be overcome by the use of a carbide tip blade.

Other physical properties as determined by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory include specific gravity based on green volume and oven dry weight, .49; weight in pounds per cubic foot at l2tlo

Story at a Glance

Hackberry native to much of U.S. . . . whlte sapwood can double for ash in cabinets . . low price.. ready availability some llabilitles in working qualities.

moisture content, 37; stiffness, 108; hardness, 74; bending strength, 76; shrinkage, 138.

The source books list hackberry as plentiful in veneer form (quartered, sliced, half-round, rotary), but those in the industry usually see it as lumber. It comes in standard thickness with l " through 2" in stock and2Vz" and 3" on request. It is used for cabinets, especially on the West Coast, and for furniture in the South.

Care must be taken in drying the wood. It is very susceptible to stain in the sawn forms and requires sticks in the shed or drying in a kiln.

According to Bill Lamb, hardwood division manager at South Bay Forest Products, Orange, Ca., who is active in hackberry sales, only one person in 500 can distinguish the wood from ash once it is under finish. He feels that the appearance, low cost, and availability outweigh the liabilities of the working qualities.

Despite the fact that more hackberry is being logged and more is being used than in the past, the wood remains cheap in comparison to ash and readily available because of a relatively limited demand.

(Continued from page 18)

Little Lake Industries, Willits, Ca., the world's largest manufacturers of redwood outdoor furnitqre, has initiated a new renianufacturing operation and has hired Dave Cubit, formerly of Crown Redwood, Fortuna, Ca., toheadit...

Mt. Scott Retail Yard, Sutherlin, Or., has a new 5000 sq. ft. warehouse Hubbard & Johnson has opened a new $2 million, 40,000 sq. ft. store in San Jose . . . Copeland Lumber, Oregon City, Or., has an expanded facility triple the size of the old store . . Diomond International Corp. is opening a new lumber and building materials center in Springfield, Or. . .

Herr Lumber Corp. is closing its store in Cosmopolis, Wa -. American Forest Products Co. plans to close its National City, Ca., facility as well as the Stockton, Ca., buying office Modesto Builders Supply, Modesto, Ca., has closed after 34 years in the same location