So, here are some tips that you can use when you are choosing wood in the lumber store.

1. Know the different classes and types of wood

As you learned previously there are many woods to choose from, all with unique characteristics. However, not all woods will cater to your needs and requirements.

- On wood classes

You have learned that there are two classes of wood, defined by the kind of trees from which they came from. So, we have hardwood and softwood.

Hardwoods belong to the group of plants that we call angiosperms. These are flower-bearing plants that have broad leaves. On the other hand, softwoods, or conifers, belong to the gymnosperm plant groups. They don’t have flowers, but they bear seeds.

These aren’t the only things that set them apart. Constitution-wise, hardwood produces more attractive lumber because of the patterns produced by the various types vertically aligned cells. This is the reason why most hardwoods are used as materials in furniture and decorative items.

Softwood, on the other hand is used as framework in structures, and as flooring material. Contrary to its name, most of the softwoods are harder and stronger than hardwoods.

- On wood grades – Here is where we deviate from the generalities you have already learned.

While woods can be classified into two classes (hardwood and softwood) within those two classes they are additionally classified into two grades, select and common.

Select lumbers are excellent types of wood that are almost 100% free of blemishes. These are used when there is a high need for a beautiful finish and appearance. Expect to pay a premium for the select grade.

Common grade lumbers are woods that have appearance flaws and are basically used in general projects and in construction.

- Let’s add to our discussion on the different wood types

There are different types of wood that are best suited to your specific project. There are also types which will make the job more difficult for you because of certain limitations. That is why you must know these wood types and their special characteristics and flaws.

- Pines can be stained in a variety of colors. That is why it is preferred to be used in indoor projects. It is also ideal for cabinet making because it can easily be cut and sanded, plus it offers stability and durability.

- Poplars don’t have many pores so it is ideal for work that needs painting to give that very smooth look.

- Birch wood isn’t that easy to use since it is difficult to drive nails on its surface. It also produces an uneven tone when stained.

- Spruces are lightweight, so it is used in travel vehicles like ships and aircraft.

- Cedars have a sweet taste, so it is advisable to use it in lining closets and building storage chests.

- Redwoods are naturally resistant to decaying. That is why it is a commendable wood type to be used in outdoor furniture, fences, and other damp areas.

- There are also chemically treated types of lumber that offer better protection from decaying due to water exposure making these types of wood best for outdoor work like fences.

- Cherries, oak, maple, and the likes have really nice grain patterns that can be used as accents in woodworks.

- Rosewoods are used in creating musical instruments such as pianos because of the high polish finish and its reddish color.

2. Be aware of the deformations and defects of the wood.

You must be aware of the deformations that can affect the quality of work that you will produce from the wood. You have to closely examine if the wood has the following:

- Physical deformities such as twisting, cupping, bending, and crooking that will affect the shape and stability of the work;

- Cosmetic flaws such as knots and checks.

- Splits that must be cut off immediately since it will widen as long as it is present in the wood.

Armed with this information, it will be easy for you to choose the right wood for the task at hand.

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It’s a good idea to have an overall understanding of the different classifications of woods and a discussion of different tree species and the woods they produce.

Here are some of the tree species classified into hardwoods and softwoods, together with the description of the wood they produce.

1. Hardwoods

Hardwood lumber comes from deciduous trees, which have characteristics like broad sets of leaves, capability to bear fruits or nuts, and dormancy during winter. These trees can be seen growing in regions with a temperate climate. Since not all species are strong enough, most lumbers produced are seldom used for flooring and structural purposes.

Hardwood lumber includes:

-Walnut

Walnut refers to a small family of flowering plants that is well known for the nuts and the lumber it produces. They belong to the order Juglandacaea family of the Juglandales order.

The walnut tree produces a fine-textured and strong lumber. It is capable of resisting warping and shrinking. That is why the lumber is used for making wall paneling, cabinets, gunstocks, as well as veneered and solid furniture.

-Cherry

This tree species is closely related to fruit bearing trees like plums, peaches, apricots and almonds. They belong to the Rocacea family.

Aside from the edible fruit that cherry trees produce, it is also known for the fine-textured, shrink and warp-resistant lumber that reddens when exposed to sunlight.

Because of the lumber’s capacity to age well, it is commonly used in making cabinets, furniture handles, novelties and boat trims.

-Maple

This tree species can be commonly seen near streets and is used as an ornament because of its autumn color and leaf shape. It belongs to the family Aceraceae. The tree is native to Northern America and Europe.

It also produces quality timber which is finely textured but is hard and strong. The lumber shrinks moderately, and the fact that it is durable makes it ideal for flooring, especially in bowling alleys.

2. Softwoods

Softwood lumber, on the other hand, is produced from coniferous trees with needle-like leaves. These trees are evergreen, and bear cones. They are used more as structures than decorations.

Some known softwood lumbers include:

- Pine

Pines are evergreen trees that have 210 species, all of which produces cones, timber and pulpwood. They belong to the Pinaceae family.

The lumber it produces doesn’t shrink, warp or swell. It also has a good finishing. It can be worked on easily because of its uniform texture.

Because of those characteristics, pines are used widely in building houses, panels, boxes, molds and furniture.

- Redwood

Redwoods, also called sequoia trees, are huge evergreen trees that are known for their reddish brown trunks that can grow up too 100 ft. It has a buttressed base to support the conical tree. All of the sequoia species belong to the Taxodiaceae family.

Redwood lumbers are known to be durable, and naturally decay-resistant.

That is why it is preferred to be used in building outdoor furniture as well as fencing and house sidings. It can also be used indoors for your indoor finishing, paneling and veneering.

- Spruce

Spruce grows in the farther north, where it converges with the Arctic forest. It belongs to the Pinaceae family, together with cider, pine and fir. It has woody leaf bases and pendulous cones, its distinct characteristics.

The spruce lumber is resistant to decaying. It shrinks moderately too and has a nice finish. More so, it is lightweight.

That is why it is ideal in spars and masts in boats and wooden parts in aircrafts, boxes/crates, and ladders.

- Cedar

Cedar is closely related to the tree mentioned previously. However, there are unique features that draw the line between cedar and spruce.

The wood produced from this tree species is naturally sweet in odor and reddish in color. It can easily be worked on.

It is the ideal wood in chest-making, Venetian blinds, dock planks, shingles, linings in closet, and novelties.

Now that you know the trees behind the woods you use, not only did you gain knowledge about them, you also know their basics uses so you can make decisions for your projects.

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