Academy Notes and Tips
JULY/AUG
2004
Volume 47/Issue 4
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Academy Notes
Hardwood
Information You Should Know - Pt 1
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From
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Hardwood Information
You Should Know -- Part 1 of 4
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The aesthetics of the lumber are the creative feelings and moods the wood expresses through the projects that are built with it. Different types of hardwoods project different moods, whether they be warm and casual; formal and sophisticated; or cool and austere. Take a good look at the grain and figure patterns on different hardwoods, paying close attention to the way you feel about them. Then, choose the hardwood that most closely expresses what you have in mind for your finished project.
The strength or hardness of a wood can also be an important factor to consider when making your choices...particularly if it's going to receive a lot of wear and use. The stability of a wood (its tendency to stay in place both before and after it's worked) and durability (rot-resistance) of it also fall under this area of strength and hardness.
Two other factors that should influence your decisions about lumber choices are color and grain pattern. Grain patterns are highly individual. No two are exactly alike, and, as nature intended, most patterns seem to blend exquisitely and beautifully with others. Perhaps your project deserves the use of two contrasting hardwoods for a special, rich effect such as a parquetry or herringbone design in the appropriate spot. Whatever the case, you have unlimited choices in design and overall effect within your grasp...by simply taking advantage of the natural grain patterns and markings in the hardwood you choose.
The Top Eight
Of the 4,000 species, there are just eight tried-and-true species that
qualify as "the most popular" among the majority of woodworkers. These
eight species have gained their widespread popularity primarily through
their combination of beauty, durability, availability and price. After
years of proven workability and overall performance, here are the most
popular: Poplar, Hard Maple, Red Oak, Cherry, White Oak, White Ash, Honduras
Mahogany and Walnut.
In this series, we'll start with two of the naturally light-colored hardwoods...poplar and maple.
Poplar - genus:
Liriodendru ---- principal lumber species: Tulipifera
For some odd reason that's unknown to botanists, lumber which comes from
a tulip tree has for years been referred to as “poplar”. The
tulip tree itself isn't even remotely related to the poplar or cottonwood,
but rather is a member of the magnolia family.
Tulip trees are found throughout most of the Eastern United States, although they fluorish best in the Ohio Valley and Appalachian regions. They are among the tallest hardwood trees on the North American continent, with a record height of 200 feet and up to 10 feet in diameter!
Because of their unusual heights, even relatively small tulip tree timber produces a high percentage of clear lumber. The heartwood of poplar is yellow-brown to olive-brown, occasionally marked with dark streaks which have no effect on the physical properties of the wood. The sapwood is usually lighter, ranging from grayish-white to off-white. The wood is free from resin and is one of the easiest lumbers to successfully kiln-dry.
Poplar is one of the woodworking industry's favorite hardwoods because of its easy workability. Few hardwoods are more desirable for carving or working with either hand or machine tools. Poplar also accepts paints or finishes quite well, glues easily, is stable, and generally doesn't split when nailed. It has a medium density and texture and a straight, uniform grain.
