11 Types of Hardwood: Different Wood Species and Uses

Hardwood is a category of tree wood that builders and interior designers use in home construction, home improvement projects, and other design or refinishing projects. Although hardwoods are more difficult to work with than softwoods, they are attractive options to homeowners because they come in various colors and grain patterns. To fit your design style or decor, you can enhance or customize these natural characteristics with stains (to provide a tint) or sealants (to prevent warping). You can use hardwood as a durable building material for your cabinetry, fine furniture, or wood flooring. As a flooring option, hardwood flooring is long-lasting and resists dents and everyday wear and tear.

Manufacturers mill hardwood lumber from deciduous trees, also known as angiosperms, which do not produce cones or needles. Manufacturers produce softwood lumber from coniferous trees, known scientifically as gymnosperms.

It is important to note that these terms categorize a wood by its ease of workability instead of a wood’s strength or Janka Hardness Scale ranking (a measurement of a wood’s hardness). For example, Douglas fir trees are softwood trees, but Douglas fir is a common lumber for structural framing because it is strong and durable. On the other hand, balsa is a hardwood, but it is also the lightest and weakest commercial hardwood available. Additionally, one type of tree sometimes produces two different types of wood, as is the case with soft maple and hard maple.

These are some of the most popular hardwood species, including their various uses in construction and woodworking projects:

1. 1. Alder: This member of the birch family produces strong, lightweight lumber with a wide-spaced wood grain pattern. Alder wood shares many characteristics with cherry wood, but it is more sustainable and eco-friendly. You can use alder wood for furniture, moldings, and paneling.
   
2. 2. Black walnut: Manufacturers mill the sturdy, yet pliant heartwood of black walnut trees to produce expensive lumber with a rich, deep brown color. You can use this rare lumber to make furniture, expensive gunstocks, and veneer for medium-density fiberboard (MDF) paneling.
3. 3. Brazilian cherry: Despite the name, this wood species is unrelated to cherry trees. The Brazilian cherry, or Jatoba, is a legume native to the Brazilian rainforests. The term “cherry” refers to the natural red hue of the wood, which is similar to that of a redwood or Western red cedar tree. Brazilian cherry is an excellent flooring material because it is flexible and termite-resistant.
4. 4. Hickory: The bright sapwood of a hickory produces lumber with a distinctive light color that darkens to a pale, brown heartwood over time. Hickory is a difficult hardwood to work with, but it is exceptionally strong and shock-resistant for its weight. You can use hickory as a durable flooring option that provides a rustic interior design aesthetic to your interior.
5. 5. Oak: This type of wood species produces lumber that falls into two main categories: red oak or white oak. The former has a red to reddish-brown hue, while white oak has a lighter-colored appearance with brown, tight-knit grain patterns, similar to that of sapele or mahogany. Red and white oak varieties are comparable in strength, however, white oak is more water-resistant, making it a good hardwood option for decking or kitchen flooring.
6. 6. Pecan: This species subgroup of hickory produces weaker wood products than true hickories, due mainly to the wider spacing of the pecan tree’s growth rings. Pecan lumber is difficult to work with using machinery and hand tools, requiring sharp blades. You can use pecan wood for the same purposes you would use true hickory wood when building furniture.
7. 7. Poplar: This light-colored hardwood is softer and has a lower density than many other hardwoods. Poplar’s soft, medium texture makes it an easy wood to work with, but it does not hold a strong, durable edge. These characteristics make poplar a less common option for the production of furniture. However, you can use poplar to build crates, pallets (such as for a pallet garden), and high-end plywood.
   
8. 8. Rosewood: Dalbergia nigra, or Brazilian rosewood, is a dark hardwood that produces a sweet aroma. Similar to teakwood, rosewood has a high oil content that provides a natural luster. Rosewood comes in a variety of colors, ranging from dark brown to purplish-red. True rosewood is an endangered species, therefore, authorities heavily restrict the trading of rosewood. As a result, it is in highly limited supply.
9. 9. Southern yellow pine: This dense hardwood has exceptional strength that lends it to various utility purposes. Construction workers can use southern yellow pine to build sturdy structural elements like roof trusses, stairs, and joinery. You can also use the high contrast between the field and grain of the wood to bring unique character to wooden eating utensils, flooring, and decking.
10. 10. Teak: This wood has a tight, straight grain pattern with a coarse texture. Similar to rosewood, teak has a higher oil content than most hardwoods. This natural oil provides the lumber with a luster and sheen and protects the wood from decay and predatory insects. Due to its easy workability and natural water-resistance, you can use teak materials for outdoor furniture, wooden carvings, sculptures, and boats.
11. 11. Yellow birch: Unlike lumber from other hardwood trees, yellow birch lumber has little color contrast between its grain and field. Additionally, yellow birch is not resistant to insects or rot. For these reasons, yellow birch wood is cheaper than most others in North America. You can use yellow birch wood in toys or specialty projects, or as real wood veneer for finishing plywood.

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