Is American Beech A Hardwood

The american beech can live for three hundred to four hundred years and can reach heights of eighty feet and diameters in excess of three feet.

Is american beech a hardwood.

The tree is a hardwood and the lineal taxonomy is magnoliopsida fagales fagaceae fagus grandifolia ehrhart. After a year beech firewood burns great and it will keep you warm even during the coldest winter nights. Beech fagus grandifolia is a medium to large size tree that originated in north america. That s because kiln drying beech in commercial quantities has its pitfalls.

Another characteristic of beech lumber is that beech has small pores which allow for a fine finish to be achieved. American beech is sometimes underrated and under appreciated. Beech wood is primarily reddish brown in color and slightly coarse with conspicuous rays and tiny pores. Butcher blocks clothes pins drum sticks flooring food containers furniture millwork mouldings.

With straight grain and medium to fine uniform texture the sapwood of american beech is white with a red tinge while the heartwood is light to dark reddish brown. Interior use only. The american beech unlike most other hardwood trees the american beech retains this smooth bark throughout its mature years. European beech fagus sylvatica scans pictures.

Yet some beech does become woodenware and furniture parts as well as barrels for aging beer. Suitable for exterior interior use. Yet considering its decent strength and hardness and its comparatively low cost beech represents an excellent value for woodworkers. Beech american beech fagus grandifolia.

American beech is also commonly called beech. The wood grows throughout much of the eastern united states. It is especially favored as fuel wood because of its high density and good burning qualities. Beech wood has sapwood with a pale brown color and heartwood with adark brown to reddish brown tint.

High crush strength medium stiffness and. Beech has a fine even texture. The grain is straight with a fine even texture. This is typical with just about any hardwood except for oak which takes about two full years to properly season.

Since it s a dense hardwood you should let beech season at least one year before burning it. Weight is about 46lbs per cu. Which may be due to its somewhat bland appearance. Beech wood is used to make flooring furniture veneer plywood and railroad ties.

American beech is often overlooked and underrated as a utility hardwood but because of its durability and low cost beech can be exceptionally valuable for woodworkers.