ST.PIERRE HOOF CARE

  

LEARN ABOUT HARDWOOD

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The various hardwood species differ in their degrees of hardness. The chart below is used for home owners making choices for hardwood flooring.  It is provided here as an informational and educational resource for Hoof Care Providers.

Species
(Kiln-Dried)

Pressure To Mar
(In Pounds)

 

Species
(Kiln-Dried)

Pressure To Mar
(In Pounds)

Hickory, Pecan

1,820

Hackberry

880

Hard Maple

1,450

Gum

850

White Oak

1,360

Elm

830

Beech

1,300

Sycamore

770

Red Oak

1,290

Alder

590

Yellow Birch

1,260

Yellow Poplar

540

Green Ash

1,200

Cottonwood

430

Black Walnut

1,010

Basswood

410

Soft Maple

950

Aspen

350

Cherry

950

    
USES
Tool handles, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, paneling, wooden ladders, dowels and sporting goods.
RELATIVE ABUNDANCE
2.2 percent of total U.S. hardwoods commercially available
WHITE OAK
Quercus spp

White oak is impervious to liquids, and has been used extensively for ship timbers, barrels and casks. White oak is the state tree of Connecticut, Illinois and Maryland.
DISTRIBUTION
Widespread throughout the Eastern U.S. The white oak group comprises many species, of which about eight are commercial.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The sapwood is light-colored and the heartwood is light to dark brown. White oak is mostly straight-grained with a medium to coarse texture, with longer rays than red oak. White oak therefore has more figure.
WORKING PROPERTIES
White oak machines well, nails and screws well although pre-boring is advised. Since it reacts with iron, galvanized nails are recommended. Its adhesive properties are variable, but it stains to a good finish. Can be stained with a wide range of finish tones. The wood dries slowly.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
A hard and heavy wood with medium bending and crushing strength, low in stiffness, but very good in steam bending. Great wear-resistance.
AVAILABILITY
Readily available but not as abundant as red oak.
MAIN USES
Furniture, flooring, architectural millwork, mouldings, doors, kitchen cabinets, paneling, barrel staves (tight cooperage), and caskets.
RELATIVE ABUNDANCE
15.1 percent of total U.S. hardwoods commercially available.