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Types of Wood

Furniture Essentials

Characteristics of Hardwood The majority of hardwood species are deciduous. Those of temperate regions lose their leaves every autumn as temperatures fall and are dormant in the winter, but those of tropical regions may shed their leaves in response to seasonal or sporadic periods of drought. Hardwood from deciduous species, such as oak, normally shows annual growth rings, but these may be absent in some tropical hardwoods.

Examples of Hardwoods Include

Acacia: most acacia trees are fast growers, but they usually live only 20 to 30 years. Many varieties are valued for their long roots which help stabilize the soil in areas threatened by erosion. The sturdy roots reach deep for underground water, which explains why the tree tolerates ex- treme drought conditions. Mango: Mango trees are fast growing and plantation grown in South- east Asia region. Mango wood has unique “Tigard” stripes and multi- tudes of grain and color variations. Perhaps its best character would be the “Glow” in the wood once finished. It is a hard wood which will pro- vide durability even with everyday usage. Mango lumber is best used in a rustic finish and craftsman designs. It is easy to love this beautiful, exotic wood that is also an affordable value.

Oak: A tree that bears acorns as fruit, and typically has lobed deciduous leaves. Oaks are common in many north temperate forests and are an important source of hard and durable wood used chiefly in construc- tion, furniture and (formerly) shipbuilding. Oak is hard, stiff, strong, and shock resistant.