Beech

The sapwood is very thin and almost white, whereas the heartwood can be whitish with a reddish tinge, or light to reddish brown. American beech is of a coarser quality than the European species (E. sylvatica), and a little heavier. It has straight grain, which is sometimes interlocked, and a fine, even texture, with clearly defined rays giving a characteristic fleck on quartersawn surfaces. The wood has a silvery sheen.Typical dry weight: 46lb/ft3 (740kg/m3)Specific gravity: .74

Properties:

American beech has excellent steam bending properties, medium stiffness, high crushing strength and medium resistance to shock loads. An excellent turnery wood, it works well with both hand and machine tools, but it does have a tendency to bind when being sawn, and to burn when drilled or crosscut. American beech glues and nails well, takes stain and polish well, and can be brought to a good finish.

Seasoning:

Care is needed in drying, because the wood dries rapidly and tends to split, warp and surface-check. During seasoning there can be a large amount of shrinkage and the wood can discolour. There is moderate movement in service, which can be dependent on humidity.

Durability:

American beech is perishable, and permeable for preservation treatment. It is vulnerable to attack from the longhorn and common furniture beetles.

Typical Uses:

Furniture and cabinetmaking, turnery, interior joinery, flooring, brush backs, domestic woodware, vehicle bodies, cooperage, tools, handles, food containers and veneers.

Fagus grandifolia (Fagaceae)

Also called:

beech

Grows:

Eastern Canada and USA

Weight per Board Foot:

3.8 lbs

Typical Height:

150ft (45m)

Trunk Diameter:

4ft (1.2m)