General physical properties of Southern hardwoods

MONG the information contained in the accompanying chart on the major species of Southern hardwoods is a collection of facts that runs the gamut from specific gravity to average shipping weight per thousand board foot for rough 4/4 lumber to the average comparative hardness index.

Included in the chart is a brief description of each specie telling about its color(s), strength or lack of it, smoothness and the like.

In coming issues we will present

Story at a Glance

The chart below contains invaluable information for anyone working with Southern hardwoods .. . additional information on these 16 species will appear next month.

additional data on the relative working properties of these species and an additional chart that gives a more elaborate breakdown of general information for each of the 16 mentioned.

These facts have been compiled and produced by the Southern Hardwood Lumber Manufacturers Assn. and we suggest that readers interested in more detailed descriptions contact them. Their address is SHLMA, 805 Sterick Bldg., Memphis, Tenn. 38103.

hardost and toughest commercially important hardwood.

is t8n to brown In color. Saowood is white.

medium weight wood wlth a fin€ grain. Th€ sapwood is off-white and the limited ld€ntical in appsarance to hard maple but sotter and easier to work. White sapwood and mild brown heartw@d.

Similar to whitc oak but with pinkish cast heartwood and somewhat stronger sYcAtoRE A moderately tin€ Srain6d wood having pronounced wood rays especially when qulrtcr sawed. Haartwood is light brown and sapwood neafly white.

Light brown hsartwood, prominent wood rays and strong grain pattern.

Somowhat lighter and easier to work than hickory, pecan has a moderate grain pattern, r6ddish brown heartwood and white sapwood.

YEILOW POPLAi A liSht weight line grained wood wilh whitish sapwood and yellowish green hsartwood.

TUPELO I BLACK GU'5 A wood of lin€ grain and uniform texture, the nearly whit6 sapwood predomlnatss,

A sott light weight and vory stablo wood, willow has a light tan sapwood and rcddlsh to gr€yish brown hsartwood.