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Timber
Types Of Timber
Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
White Ash, The tree reaches a height of 15m to 18m or a little more, and diameter of about 0.75m
The Timber
White Ash – The sapwood is almost white in colour and the heartwood varies from light brown to reddish-brown rather similar to European ash. Little lighter in weight, about 670 kg/m3 when dried.
Treatability
Easy
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
Hardwood
Texture
Coarse
Use(s)
Tool handles, Joinery – Interior
Colour(s)
Grey (Brown)
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
Beech has been called the mother of the forest. In close forest, it can reach a height of 45m with a clear bole of 1 5m but on average this is usually about 9m with a diameter averaging 1.2m occasionally more.
The Timber
Normally, there is no clear distinction by colour between sapwood and heartwood, the wood being very pale brown when freshly cut, turning reddish-brown on exposure, and deep reddish-brown under the influence of steaming treatment commonly applied in parts of the Continent before shipment. Some logs show an irregular, dark reddish-coloured kern or heart, caused it is believed, by the effect of severe frosts, and occurring more frequently in Continental beech.The wood is typically straight grained, with a fine, even texture, but varying in density and hardness according to the locality of growth, which weighs about 720 kg/m³ when dried.
Drying
Although it dries fairly rapidly and fairly well, beech is moderately refractory, tending to warp, twist, check and split, and shrink considerably. It therefore requires care both in air drying and kiln drying.
Strength
Green beech has general strength properties roughly equal to those of oak, but after drying, most values increase, and beech is stronger than oak in bending strength, stiffness and shear by some 20 per cent, and considerably stronger in resistance to impact loads.
Working Qualities
Good – * Red heart extremely difficult to work. Beech varies somewhat in its ease of working and machining according to growth characteristics and dried condition. Thus fairly tough material, or badly dried stock may tend to bind on the saw, or burn when cross-cut, or, if distorted due to drying provide difficulties in planing. On the whole, however it works fairly readily, and is capable of a good smooth surface. Beech turns well, takes glue readily, and takes stains and polish satisfactorily. It produces excellent veneer.
Treatability
Easy
Moisture Movement
Large
Density
720kg/m3
Chemical Properties
Excellent bending properties
Texture
Fine
Use(s)
Joinery – Interior, Furniture & flooring
Colour(s)
Pink/pale, reddish brown, white/cream
Sample

Wood Type
Softwood
The Tree
The largest of the so-called cedars, it grows to a height of 45m to 75m with a diameter of 1m to 2.5m.
The Timber
The sapwood is narrow and white in colour, and the heartwood is reddish-brown. When freshly felled, the heartwood often displays a marked variation in colour; that from the centre of the log may be a dark chocolate-brown changing to salmon pink nearer the sapwood, or the wood may be variegated with alternate dark and light zones. The wood is non-resinous, straight-grained, somewhat coarse- textured and about 390 kg/m³ when dried.
Drying
Thin sizes dry readily with little degrade, but the timber generally tends to hold its moisture at the centre and care is needed with thick stock to avoid internal honey-combing and collapse. The timber holds its position well after drying with practically no tendency to warp and check. while movement due to shrinking and swelling in changing atmospheres is small.
Working Qualities
Good – The timber works easily with both hand and machine tools, but its relatively brittle nature, which can cause splintering during some operations, and its soft character usually means that care is needed in order to obtain the best results during mortising, planing and moulding. A good finish can be obtained, but cutters must be kept sharpened.
Strength
Its light weight and soft timber contributes to low strength properties.
Treatability
Extremely difficult, Difficult (sapwood)
Moisture Movement
Small
Density
390kg/m3
Texture
Coarse
Use(s)
Joinery – Exterior, Cladding, Decking
Colour(s)
Reddish brown (Ages to silver grey if left unprotected)
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
A medium-sized tree, 18m to 21m tall, with diameter of 0.5m
The Timber
The timber is hard, with fine, straight, close grain, the heartwood varying in colour from reddish-brown to rich red, the narrow sapwood being pinkish. Fine, narrow, brown-coloured pith flecks, and small gum pockets are a common feature of the wood, which weighs about 580 kg/m3 when dried.
Drying
Relatively quick drying with some tendency to warp.
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
580kg/m3
Texture
Fine
Use(s)
Joinery – Interior, Furniture
Colour(s)
Reddish brown, Red
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
C. excelsa attains very large sizes, reaching 45m or more in height and up to 2.7m in diameter. The stem is usually cylindrical and mostly without buttresses. It occurs in the rain, and mixed deciduous forests.
The Timber
When freshly cut, or when unexposed to light, the heartwood is a distinct yellow colour, but on exposure to light it quickly becomes golden-brown. The sapwood is narrow, being about 50mm to 75mm wide, and clearly defined. The grain is usually interlocked and the texture is rather coarse but even, and the wood weighs on average 660 kg/m³ when dried.
Drying
The timber dries well and fairly rapidly, with only a slight tendency to distortion and splitting.
Working Qualities
Medium to difficult – Iroko works fairly well with most tools, though with some dulling effect on their cutting edges, especially when calcareous deposits are prevalent. On quarter-sawn stock, there is a tendency for grain to pick up due to interlocked grain, and a reduction of cutting angle to 15° is usually necessary to obtain a smooth surface. An excellent finish can be obtained if the grain is filled. It takes nails and screws well, and can be glued satisfactorily.
Strength
Iroko has excellent strength properties, comparing well with teak, though weaker in bending and in compression along the grain.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Moisture Movement
Small
Density
660kg/m3
Chemical Properties
Occasional deposits of stone may occur
Texture
Medium
Use(s)
Joinery – Exterior, Joinery – Interior, Cladding & Decking
Colour(s)
Yellow/ brown
Sample

Wood Type
Softwood
The Tree
A. Saccharum and A. Nigrum grow to a height of 27m or more and a diameter of 0.5m to 0.75m
Distribution
Found generally in Canada and eastern USA
The Timber
Hard Maple is strong, heavy, hard, and Straight-grained and fine textured. The heartwood is light reddish but firmer texture.
Drying
All types dry without undue difficulty but rather slowly, particularly rock maple.
Working Qualities
Medium – Hard maple is rather difficult to work, the timber tending to cause saws to vibrate, but it is hard to nail or screw although these are held firmly.
Strength
Compared with European beech, rock maple is about equal in bending strength.
Treatability
Difficult
Abrasions
Very Good
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
740kg/m3
Texture
Fine
Chemical Properties
High resistance to abrasion
Use(s)
Furniture, Flooring
Colour(s)
White / Cream
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
Distribution
Eastern Canada and USA. In Canada it is more abundant than white oak, and covers a wider range.
The Tree
The trees vary according to species but average about 18m to 21 m in height with a diameter of 1.0m.
The Timber
The timber varies in colour from pink to pale reddish-brown, there is usually a reddish cast to the wood although sometimes it approaches white oak in colour. The large rays do not produce such an attractive figure as they do in white oak, and generally speaking, the wood is coarser in texture. The quality of red oak depends greatly on growth conditions, northern red oak. With its comparatively slow rate of growth, compares favorably with northern white oak, while red oak from the southern States is generally of faster growth, and consequently more coarse and open in texture. Red oak weighs about 790 kg/m3 when dried.
Drying
Dries slowly with a tendancy to warp and split, particularly on end grain.
Strength
Similar to European Oak
Treatability
Difficult
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
790kg/m3
Texture
Medium
Use(s)
Joinery – Interior, Furniture & flooring
Colour(s)
Pink/pale, reddish brown
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
The white oaks vary in size and form according to species and soil conditions, some are unsuitable for timber production. But others vary in height from 15m to 30m, well-grown specimens having a clear cylindrical bole of up to 15m with a diameter of about 1.0m.
The Timber
Although generally resembling European oak, American white oak is more variable in colour, ranging from pale yellow-brown to pale reddish-brown, often with a pinkish tint. The multi-seriate rays are generally higher than those of the red oaks producing a more prominent and attractive silver-grain figure on quarter-sawn surfaces. The grain is generally straight, and the texture varies from coarse to medium coarse. As with the red oak, the quality depends greatly on the conditions of growth; slowly-grown northern white oak usually being lighter in weight and milder, than that from the southern states. Southern white oak is typically fast grown, and with its wide growth-rings is relatively coarse and more suited to constructional use. White oak weighs about 770 kg/m³ when dried.
Drying
Like all the true Oaks the timber dries slowly, with a tendency to split, check and honeycomb.
Working Qualities
Medium – Variable in working properties according to rate of growth, slow-grown material being easier to work than fast-grown, but either type can be finished smoothly if care is taken. A reduction of cutting angle to 20º is often helpful in planing. The timber can be glued, stained and polished, and takes nails and screws well.
Strength
It compares fairly closely with European oak in general strength, but on the whole, its higher density provides rather higher strength.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
770kg/m3
Chemical Properties
Acidic nature, iron staining may occur in damp conditions. May also corrode metals.
Texture
Medium
Use(s)
Heavy structural use, Joinery – Exterior, Joinery – Interior, Furniture, Flooring
Colour(s)
White/cream, yellow/ brown
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
Both species reach a height of 18m to 30m or a little more depending upon growth conditions which also affect the length of the bole. When drawn up in forests at the expense of their branches, this may be 1 5m or so in length, but in open situations, the tree branches much lower down. Diameters are about 1.2m to 2m.
The Timber
There is no essential difference in the appearance of the wood of either species. The sapwood is 25mm to 50mm wide and lighter in colour than the heartwood which is yellowish-brown. Quarter-sawn surfaces show a distinct silver-grain figure due to the broad rays. The annual rings are clearly marked by alternating zones of early-wood consisting of large pores, and dense late-wood. Conditions of growth accordingly govern the character of the wood to a great extent; for example, in slowly grown wood the proportion of dense late-wood is reduced in each annual growth-ring, thus tending to make the wood soft and light in weight. The growth conditions in the various countries which export oak, vary considerably. The weight of oak varies according to type; that from the Baltic area, western Europe, and Great Britain being about 720 kg/m³ and that from Central Europe about 672 kg/m³ on average after drying.
Drying
Oak dries very slowly with a marked tendency to split and check, particularly in the early stages of drying, and there is considerable risk of honeycombing if the drying is forced, especially in thick sizes. End and top protection must be provided to freshly sawn stock exposed to sun and drying winds and sticker thickness should be reduced to about 12mm for stock piled in the open air during early spring and onwards until winter.
Working Qualities
Medium to difficult – The working and machining properties of oak vary with the mild to tough material which either machines easily or with moderate difficulty. In general oak finishes well from the planer or moulding machine although in some cases a reduction of cutting angle to 20° is preferable. The wood can be stained, polished, waxed, and glued satisfactorily, takes nails and screws well, except near edges, when the wood should be pre-bored, and takes liming and fuming treatments well.
Strength
Both the sessile and pedunculate oaks have well known and high strength properties, and those hybrid oaks developed from both types and common throughout Europe, are similar in their strength properties.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
720kg/m3
Abrasions
Very Good
Texture
Medium to coarse
Chemical Properties
Iron staining may occur in damp conditions, similarly corrosion of metals.
Use(s)
Heavy structural use, Cladding, Joinery – Exterior, Joinery – Interior, Furniture, Flooring, Sleepers, Decking
Colour(s)
Yellow-brown
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
Both species attain a height of 30m and a diameter of 0.75m or slightly more.
The Timber
The sapwood is narrow in the better grades, sometimes up to 50mm wide, lighter in colour than the heartwood which is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown. Both species are typical of the hard-pine class, being resinous, with the growth-rings usually well-marked by the contrast between the light-coloured early-wood, and the dense, darker-coloured late-wood, which produces a rather coarse texture in the wood, especially in fairly rapidly grown material with its wide growth-rings. The timbers weigh about 670 kg/m³ on average when dried.
Drying
All these species dry well with little degrade.
Working Qualities
Medium – Works moderately easily, but the resin is often troublesome, tending to clog saw-teeth and cutters, and to adhere to machine tables. Saws with teeth of fairly long pitch reduce the effect of resin. A good finish is obtainable, and the wood can be glued satisfactorily, takes nails and screws well, and gives fair results with paint and other finishing treatments.
Strength
The general strength properties of P. palustris and P. elliottii compare closely with those of ‘Douglas fir”.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
670kg/m3
Texture
Medium
Chemical Properties
Denser material also known as longleaf pitch pine.
Use(s)
Joinery – Exterior, Joinery – Interior, Structural use, Decking
Colour(s)
Reddish-brown
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
With the exception of the white poplar and aspen, the trees reach a height of 30m; the two former species seldom exceeding 18m. The diameter of all types is around 1m.
The Timber
Poplar timber can be grouped with willow, lime and horse chestnut, since they are all soft, fine-textured woods, generally without lustre and without any very characteristic colour. Poplar wood is whitish or light green in colour, with no clear distinction between sapwood and heartwood. It is usually straight grained, without odour, uniform in appearance and light in weight, the various species weighing about 450 kg/m³ when dried, although the grey poplar is usually a little heavier at 480 kg/m³.
Drying
Dries rapidly and fairly well.
Working Qualities
Medium – Poplar is reputed to have the best working properties, A good finish is obtainable with all species however, if thin, sharp-edged tools are employed. They can be glued satisfactorily, and take paint, polish and varnish quite well, but while they can be stained the wood accepts the stain with patchy results.
Strength
For their weight, poplar timbers are relatively strong and tough, and in the dried state, and depending on type.
Treatability
Difficult, easy (sapwood)
Moisture Movement
Large
Density
450kg/m3
Texture
Fine to medium
Use(s)
Joinery – Interior, Flooring and Furniture
Colour(s)
White/Cream, light green
Sample

Wood Type
Softwood
Introduction
“Scots pine” and “European redwood” are the trade names generally used in the UK & Ireland to differentiate between homegrown and imported Pinus sylvestris.
The Tree
The tree is generally 30m high with a diameter of about 1m but larger trees may be found on favourable sites.
The Timber
The sapwood is creamy-white to yellow in colour, narrow, especially in northern environments, becoming wider in the southern areas, and the heartwood is pale yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, resinous, and usually distinct from the sapwood. The growth rings are clearly marked by the denser late-wood. The weight of dried timber is about 510 kg/m³.
Drying
The timber dries rapidly, and without undue degrade, but owing to its tendency to develop sap stain, it should either be anti-stain dipped, or dried quickly after conversion.
Working Qualities
Medium – In general, the timber works easily and well with both hand and machine tools, but ease of working and quality of finish is dependent upon the size, and number of knots, and degree of resin present. The wood is capable of a smooth, clean finish, and can be glued, stained, varnished and painted satisfactorily, and takes nails and screws well.
Strength
For its weight, the timber is strong and moderately hard.
Treatability
Extremely difficult, Easy (sapwood)
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
510kg/m3
Texture
Medium
Use(s)
Joinery – Interior, Furniture, Structural use, Decking, Joinery – Exterior, Mouldings, Flooring, Cladding
Colour(s)
White / Cream
Availability
Readily available at timber merchant
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
INDIAN ROSEWOOD
A large tree with a cylindrical and fairly straight bole, averaging 6m in length, but much longer lengths may be found. The diameter varies according to locality and growth conditions from 0.3m to 1.5m.
The Timber
BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD
The trees produce very varying examples of colour and figure in the wood which varies from chocolate or violet-brown, to a rich purple black. The timber has a somewhat oily appearance and the sapwood is nearly white in colour and sharply defined. When worked, the wood has a distinct mild, fragrant odour. The grain is usually straight, and the texture medium, sometimes gritty. It is a hard, heavy wood, weighing about 870 kg/m³ when dry. It air dries slowly, with a tendency to check.
INDIAN ROSEWOOD
The sapwood is narrow, pale yellowish-white in colour, often with a purple tinge, and the heartwood varies in colour from light, nearly golden-brown through shades of light rose-purple with darker streaks, to deep purple with rather blackish lines, darkening with age. The wood is dull, as a fragrant scent, and a uniform and moderately coarse texture. The grain is interlocked in narro bands and the wood is heavy, weighing 870kg/m³ when dried
Drying
INDIAN ROSEWOOD
Rosewood is probably the best of the hard Indian timbers to dry in log form or as hewn-square baulks prior to conversion. By this means, colour is retained much better, and degrade is low, except for the heart centre which may shake badly and should be boxed out during conversion. The timber dries slowly and should be protected against rapid drying both in the open air and in the kiln.
Working Qualities
Medium
BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD
It is somewhat difficult to work because of its hardness, and tends to blunt cutting edges rather quickly. It is capable of an exceedingly smooth surface but is sometimes too oily to obtain a high polish. INDIAN ROSEWOOD Moderately hard to saw and machine, with a fairly severe dulling effect on cutting edges due to calcareous deposits. The reference to boxing out the heart during initial conversion (see Drying) is pertinent to sawing in final conversion; the large shakes which are liable to form in the centres of logs become filled with chalky deposits, as opposed to the smaller amounts which plug some of the vessels, and according increase the tendency of the wood to blunt cutting edges. Planing and moulding produces a good finish when the cutting angle is reduced to 25º. The wood turns well, and, with proper grain filling, takes an excellent polish, and an even better waxed finish. It produces a really handsome veneer.
Strength
INDIAN ROSEWOOD
It is a hard timber, and in comparison with English oak, is about 25 per cent stronger in bending and in compression along the grain, 15 per cent stiffer, and 20 per cent more resistant to suddenly applied loads.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Durability
Very Durable
Moisture Movement
Small
Density
870kg/m3
Texture
Medium
Chemical Properties
Fine dust may be irritant
Use(s)
Joinery – Interior, Furniture and Mouldings
Colour(s)
Dark brown/black, purple brown
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
A very large tree with cylindrical bole and small or no buttresses. Grows to a height of 45m or more and a diameter at breast height of 10m or slightly more.
The Timber
The Sapwood is pale yellow or whitish, the heartwood pinkish when freshly cut, darkening to typical mahogany colour of reddish-brown. Sapele is characterised by a marked and regular stripe, particularly pronounced on quarter-sawn surfaces. It is fairly close textured, and the grain is interlocked. It is harder and heavier than African mahogany. Weighing about 640 kg/m3 when dried.
Drying
The timber dries rapidly with a marked tendency to distort. Quarter-sawn material is less liable to degrade in drying.
Working Qualities
Works fairly well with hand and machine tools, but the inter-locked grain is often troublesome in planning and moulding. It takes screws and nails well, glues satisfactorily, stains readily, and takes an excellent polish.
Strength
Sapele is much harder then African or American mahogany, and in resistance to indentation, bending strength, stiffness, and resistance to shock loads.
Treatability
Difficult
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
640kg/m3
Texture
Medium
Use(s)
Joinery – Exterior, Joinery – Interior, Furniture, Flooring
Colour(s)
Reddish-Brown (Typical mahogany colour)
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
Under favorable conditions, the tree attains a height of 30m and a diameter of 1.5m or more, the bole often being clear for 15m to 18m.
The Timber
The sapwood is usually narrow and pale brown in colour, the heartwood varying in colour from rich chocolate-brown to a purplish-black. The wood has a fine even texture and a rather coarse grain, and weighs about 660 kg/m³ when dried.
Drying
Dries rather slowly with a tendency to honeycombing.
Working Qualities
Good – The timber is moderately hard, tough, strong and is easily worked. It finishes well and takes an excellent polish.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Moisture Movement
Medium
Density
660kg/m3
Texture
Coarse
Use(s)
Furniture
Colour(s)
Dark brown/black
Sample

Wood Type
Hardwood
The Tree
Medium –sized tree, 15m to 18m in height with a diameter up to 1.0m.
The Timber
Sapwood whitish, heartwood dark brown with fine, close blackish veining, giving the wood a handsome appearance. A very hard and heavy wood, it weights about 880 kg/m3 when dried. Straight grained, it has a rather coarse texture.
Drying
Dries slowly and requires care if surface checking is to be avoided.
Working Qualities
Good- Reported to be easy to work, but difficult to polish.
Strength
The wood is stated to have good resistance to bending and to shock.
Treatability
Extremely difficult
Moisture Movement
Small
Density
880kg/m3 – May vary
Texture
Coarse
Use(s)
Joinery – Exterior, Joinery – Interior, Flooring
Colour(s)
Dark brown/black
Sample

Certification

Certificate No: TT – COC – 006088
Ballingly Joinery 2000 Ltd hold FSC® Chain of Custody Certification, allowing us to provide FSC® certified bespoke joinery, which is made from material from well-managed FSC® certified forests and other controlled sources. The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) is a global, not for profit organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide. FSC® helps take care of forests and the people and wildlife who call them home.