AMERICAN   YELLOW   BIRCH                               Top  ▲

Similar to Hard Maple but slightly softer.

Production: S/E

Betula alleghaniensis

Family: Betulaceae

Commercial names: Hard Birch, Betula Wood (Canada); Canadian Yellow Birch, Quebec Birch, American Birch (UK); Grey, Silver or Swamp Birch USA.

Distribution: Canada and USA.

General description: There is a wide range of colour differences in unselected parcels, but when stained will not show a marked difference between light yellow sap and reddish brown heartwood. It is straight, close-grained, the texture is fine and even. Weight about 710 kg/m3 (44lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.71.

Mechanical properties: The wood bending classification is very good, with high bending strength, crushing strength and resistance to shock loads.

Seasoning: Dries rather slowly with little degrade; large movement in service.

Working properties: The wood works fairly easily with only a moderate dulling effect on cutters and finishes smoothly if straight grained. Curly grained material, or disturbed grain around knots requires a reduced cutting angle of 15°. It glues well with care and takes stain and polish extremely well. Its uniform, dense surface, free from large groups of pores, makes it unequalled as a base for white enamelling and guarantees a permanent smooth finish.

Durability: Liable to attack by common furniture beetle. Moderately resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is permeable. The wood is perishable.

Uses: Furniture, high grade joinery and flooring. Turnery, bobbins, shuttles, spools, cooperage, upholstery frames, high-grade plywood manufacture.

Comments: This first grade material is not at present widely available in Ireland & the UK. Whereas the second grade frame stock material is readily available and is often a mix of Yellow and White Birch and Hard and Soft Maple. We do not stock this lower grade material and stress that our stock is first quality only. It is an excellent timber for staining as a substitute for Cherry and has been used in this form for many years by French furniture manufacturers The North American specifications for Yellow Birch refer to “Selected” and “Unselected” this reference is to the colour and not the grade. Sometimes the sapwood of the Yellow Birch is referred to as White Birch (often confused with Betula papyrifera which is true white/paper Birch) and the heartwood, as Red Birch.

                                                     AMERICAN CHERRY                                                Top  ▲

Sapwood maybe evident on one or both faces and is not classed as a defect. Our stock in the main is free from sapwood on one face and two edges and often free from sapwood on all faces.

Production: Square Edged, Random widths & fix widths.

 Prunus serotina

Family: Rosaceae

 Commercial names: Black Cherry (Canada and U.S.A.); Cabinet Cherry (U.S.A.).

 Other names: Rum Cherry; Whisky Cherry; Wild Cherry.

 Distribution: In small quantities or scattered trees in deciduous forest areas in Canada and U.S.A.

 General description: The heartwood varies from rich red to reddish brown, with a contrasting light brown cream sapwood. It has a fine, straight, close grain with narrow brown pith flecks and small gum pockets. It has a fine smooth texture. Weighs about580 kg/m3 (36 lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.58.

Mechanical properties: The timber has good wood bending properties, low stiffness, and medium strength and resistance to shock loads.

 Seasoning: Dries fairly rapidly, with little degrade if care is taken to avoid a moderately large amount of shrinkage during seasoning. There is medium movement in service.

 Working properties: The wood works easily with both hand and power tools with only moderate blunting effect on cutting edges.It nails, glues, stains and takes polish very well.

 Durability: Sapwood is liable to attack by common furniture beetle, and heartwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment. The wood is moderately durable.

Uses: Pattern making, tobacco pipes, musical instruments, furniture and cabinet making, high-class joinery, boat interiors and backing blocks for mounting printing plates. It is an excellent turnery and carving wood.

 Comments: Under the N.H.L.A. grading rules sapwood and gum streaks are not classed as a defect in American Cherry. We purchase our stock for minimum sapwood and gum. Stock is selected red on one face with minimal sapwood on the reverse face. There may be sapwood on the edges and/or on parts of the reverse face with ”saddlebacking” sapwood kept to the absolute minimum. Unfortunately much of the stock at present being imported into Ireland and the UK has less restricted sapwood with the reverse face and edges of some boards containing all sapwood. Please bear this in mind when making price comparisons.

Specification: Square edge; 8ft and longer. 5 ins and wider allowing up to 10% 6/7ft and / 4"

                                          AMERICAN   RED ELM                         Top  ▲

Similar to our Dutch Elm but has a straighter and more uniform grain. Sapwood can be evident in much of the production.
Production: S/E Ulmus rubra
Family: Ulmaceae

Commercial names: Slippery Elm, Brown Elm.
Distribution: Canada and Northern USA.

General description: Reddish-brown to dark brown heartwood with greyish white to light brown narrow sapwood. The grain pattern is very conspicuous, with the annual rings distinct due to large early wood pores, giving a coarse texture to the wood. 610kg/m3 (38lb/ft3): Specific gravity 0.53.

Mechanical properties : Medium density with medium bending and crushing strengths.

Seasoning: The material dries slowly with a tendency to distort. Medium movement in service.
Working properties: Machines well. It can be nailed, screwed and glued satisfactorily, and stained and polished to a very good finish.

Durability: The timber is non-durable and subject to insect attack; it is moderately resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is permeable.
Uses: Cabinet work, Windsor chairs, turnery and more recently in high quality internal joinery.

Comments: Not at present widely available in Ireland and the UK, possibly due to the lack of demand. Architects and designers often have the impression that due to Dutch Elm disease, that Elm in general is unavailable. This is most certainly not the case as the
stock is available in Canada and America in reasonable volumes. Darker in colour with a coarser grain than American Grey Elm.
 

Grade: Shipments normally include a percentage of Export Grade
80% FAS, 20% FAS IF and No 1 common stock.

Specification: Square edge; 8ft and longer. 5ins and wider allowing up to 15% 6ft/7ft and/or 4in

                                   AMERICAN   HARD MAPLE                             Top  ▲           

                                          AMERICAN   RED OAK                         Top  ▲

This species is not as popular here in Ireland and the UK compared to American White Oak. It is viewed as too uniform and fast grown, however as a species it is possibly the most popular in the U.S.A.
Production: S/E, DIM.
Quercus rubra/falcata
Family: Fagaceae
Other names: Northern Red Oak, (Canada and USA); Southern
Red Oak (USA).

Distribution: Eastern Canada and USA.
General Description: The heartwood resembles other Oaks with a biscuit to pink colour, but has a reddish tinge. Mostly straight grained and coarse textured, with a less attractive figure than White Oak due to smaller rays. Southern Red Oak has a more rapid growth than Northern Red Oak and is harder, heavier and coarser textured. Weight about 770 kg/m3 (48 lb/ft3); specific
gravity 0.77.

Mechanical Properties: This timber has medium bending strength and stiffness with high crushing strength and is classified as a very good steam bending wood. Seasoning: Natural tendency to dry slowly, with liability to split, check or honeycomb, and needs care in both air drying and kilning. There is medium movement in service.
Working properties: Varies according to the density of the wood and growth conditions. There is a moderate blunting effect on cutters
which should be kept sharp. Nailing may require pre-boring and gluing properties are variable. Can be stained and polished to a good finish.

 

Durability: The heartwood is non-durable and liable to insect attack but is moderately resistant to preservative treatment; the sapwood is permeable.
Uses: Flooring, furniture, vehicle construction, interior joinery. We do not recommend American Red Oak for exterior use.

Comments: American Red Oak is far more abundant timber and cheaper than American White Oak in the thicker thicknesses. Unfortunately it is not specified as much as White Oak. Consideration should be given to this species where a similar and cheaper hardwood is required. Our stocks of American Red Oak originate in the Northern and Appalachian regions where slower grown trees are available giving a consistent colour and even grain. We avoid the Southern stock due to its very fast growth and
abundance of sapwood. Please note that under N.H.L.A. rules sapwood is not classed as a defect

Certification: We have established a supply of American Red Oak which is produced from well managed forests, independently certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council A.C. All our Certified Timber is processed through our Chains of Custody which are audited by BM TRADA Certification.

Grade: Export grade 80% FAS, 20% FAS IF or better.

Specification: Square edge: 8ft and longer 5ins and wider allowing up to 10% 6ft/7ft and/or 4

                                          AMERICAN   WHITE  OAK                         Top  ▲

The most popular of North American species but as with all American hardwoods sapwood is classed as no defect
Production: S/E, S/E PFTW, DIM.
Quercus alba/prinus/lyrata

Family: Fagaceae

Commercial names: White Oak, Overcup Oak (USA). Also marketed Northern and Southern Oak.

Distribution: Eastern USA and South Eastern Canada. General Description: Varies in colour from pale yellow-brown to biscuit with a pinkish tint, similar to European Oak. Straight grain, with the characteristic silver grain on quartered material. Appalachian Oak is slow grown producing light weight, mild wood, but Southern States produce fast grown Oak with wide growth rings, and a harder, tougher timber. Medium to coarse texture. Weight averages 760 kg/m3 (47lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.76.

Mechanical properties: The wood has medium bending and crushing strengths with low stiffness which makes it an excellent steam bending material.

Seasoning: Dries relatively slowly with a tendency to check, split and honeycomb, and requires careful handling for air drying and kilning. There is medium movement in service. Working properties: Vary according to rate of growth. Slow grown oak being much easier to work with hand and machine tools. The timber takes nails and screws well, although pre-boring is advised; its gluing properties are variable; stains and polishes to a good finish.

Durability: Logs are liable to severe insect attack. The heartwood is durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment, and the sapwood is moderately resistant.

 

Uses: Milder than European Oak to work and suitable for furniture and cabinetmaking, joinery, heavy construction, parquet and strip flooring, pews and pulpits, boat building, ladder rungs, agricultural implements, wagon bottoms, cooperage and coffins. Has now become one of the most popular timbers for use in shopfitting and high class joinery.

Comments: Traditionally used for interior applications but with the demand for non tropical hardwoods for exterior use. American White Oak is becoming increasingly popular for shop fronts, window frames and other exterior applications. It is not the most ideal timber for this application and should be prepared and treated with care. Our stocks of American White Oak originate in the
Northern and Appalachian regions where slower grown trees are available giving a consistent colour and even grain. Please note that under N.H.L.A. rules, sapwood is not classed as a defect. We specify that we will only accept minimal sapwood from our shippers. All our stock and the vast majority of White Oak imported is
plain sawn/crown cut. Rift and quarter sawn material is available to order in the thinner thicknesses. Glacial/Great Lakes American White Oak For customers who require a good even colour in American White Oak particularly for kitchen door production. Available in random boards and dimensions.

Certification: We have established a supply of American White Oak which is produced from well managed forests, independently certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council A.C. All our Certified Timber is processed through our Chains of Custody which are audited by BM TRADA Certification.

Grade: Export grade 80% FAS 20% FAS IF or better.

Specification: Square edge; 8ft and longer. 5ins and wider allowing up to 10% 6ft/7ft and/or 4ins.

 

                                AMERICAN   POPLAR (TULIPWOOD)                         Top  ▲

Although one of our best selling species where a hardwood is required for a painted finish. Unfortunately many of our customers are unaware of this very versatile species. It is ideal as a superior substitute to softwood as an excellent finish can be obtained with little rubbing down. The main application at present is for use in the manufacture of quality kitchen doors, Painted Joinery.
Production: S/E, S/E PTW, DIM.
Liriodendron tulipifera Family: Magnoliaceae
Commercial names: Poplar, Canary Wood, Canary Whitewood, Yellow Poplar, Hickory Poplar, Tulip Poplar, Saddletree, Popple, Tulipwood (USA); Tulip Tree (USA, Canada and UK); American
Whitewood (UK).

Distribution: Eastern USA and Canada and introduced into Europe.
General description: In second growth trees the sapwood is very wide, whitish in colour and streaked. It is sharply defined from the heartwood which varies from pale yellowish-brown to pale olivebrown streaked with olive green, dark grey or pinkish-brown, and when mineral stained, streaks of steel blue. Uniform, straight grain; regular, fine texture. Weight 510 kg/m3 (31 lb/ft3); specific
gravity 0.51.

Mechanical properties: This medium density wood has low bending and resistance to shock loads, low stiffness and medium crushing strength. It also has a medium steam bending classification.
Seasoning: The material kiln dries easily and well with no risk of checking or warping, and air dries with little degrade. There is small movement in service.
 

Working properties: It is easy to work with both hand and machine tools and can be planed to a very smooth finish. Nailed, screwed and glued joints hold perfectly, and it can be stained, polished or painted and holds hard enamels.

Durability: Non-durable, the sapwood is prone to attack by the common furniture beetle. It is moderately resistant to preservation treatment and the sapwood is permeable.

Uses: Pattern making, carving, cabinetmaking, interior fittings, interior joinery, light construction work, interior trim for boats,
toys and doors. When treated with preservatives it is used for
external joinery and work not in contact with the ground.

Comments: This is an extremely versatile hardwood, readily available and competitively priced. It is ideal as an alternative moulding timber to Ramin and the cheaper moulding quality hardwoods. It takes stain and finishes well. Some of our furniture manufacturing customers have perfected stains and finishes which enables Poplar to resemble Yew, Cherry and Mahogany. It can be difficult to spot the difference. Poplar can be used for a paint finish as it is free from the grain found in softwood so less “rubbing down” is necessary to obtain a very smooth surface.

Grade: Export grade 80% FAS 20% FAS IF or better.

Specification: Square edge; 8ft and longer. 5ins and wider allowing up to 10% 6ft/7ft and/or 4ins.
 

A really beautiful timber and as with all American species sapwood is included in all grades as no defect. Although we know we are purchasing the finest possible production available, sapwood maybe evident in some boards.

Juglans nigra Family: Juglandaceae

Commercial names: Virginia Walnut (UK); Walnut (USA).

Other names: Canaletto, Black Hickory Nut, Canadian Walnut, Walnut Tree

Distribution: Eastern USA and Ontario, Canada.

General description: The heartwood is a rich dark brown to purplish-black, with distinct grey sapwood, mostly straight grained but with wavey or curly grain occasionally present. The texture is rather coarse. Weight averages 640 kg/m3 (40lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.64.

Mechanical properties: This is a tough, hard timber of medium density, with with moderate bending and crushing strengths and low stiffness. It has a good steam bending classification.

Seasoning: Dries rather slowly with a tendency to honeycomb and requires care to avoid checking and degradation. There is a small movement in service.

Working properties: Works with hand or machine tools without difficulty with moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. Holds nails or screws well, glues satisfactorily and polishes to a high finish.