Strange, but True, Wood Facts
After many years of research and woodworking experience, we at Southern-tool.com wanted to create a page full of useful
information for all levels of woodworkers. Whether you are just now starting out, or a master craftsman with decades of experience, we hope this page will provide you with useful information and
perhaps some eye opening facts. Thanks to everyone reading and we will contginue to update this page as we recieve new information!
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Wood Selection Criteria - Woods are categorized based upons several selection criteria. These include the following; Distribution, Tree Size, Average Dried Weight, Janka Hardness,
Modulus of Rupture, Elastic Modulus, Crushing Strength, Shrinkage, Rot Resistance and several more criteria.
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Soft Woods - Soft Woods are generally harvested from Conifers and make up a much larger portion of wood used in woodworking applications. These woods, as the name implys, are softer and
have thinner grain strands, as well as larger resin canals. These woods are used for specific purposes of construction, art, trims and finishes. Because the bands are generally larger and more
pronounced, softwoods are considered more asthetically pleasing, such as mouldings, and trims.
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Hard Woods - Hardwoods make up the smaller percentage of all woodworking applications and harvested from thousands of different varieties of trees. These woods in general are tougher,
stronger, last longer and can hold up to heavy loads. This wood type is most used in construction, furniture, framing and other needs of strength and durability rather than looks. This includes
lumber, marine docks and pylons, and other large, heavy duty, wood working applications. Because Hardwoods grow slower than softwoods, they are more expensive and not used in commercial
applications often.
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Special Woods - In addition to the two main categories of woods there are certain specialized woods. For example, Yew wood is used to create pipes and items that require good heat
resistance. Balsa wood is used in aircraft design and interior due to its lightweight and high strength. There are many woods out there that are specialized for various purposes and these are
designated "special woods" in addition to the main two categorizations.
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Strange Wood Side Effects - From "Sensitizing" woods, to poisonous woods, to woods that cause hallucinations, you wouldn't believe some of the effects certain woods can have on people.
Wood Selection Criteria
Below is the breakdown and definition of each selection criteria used to determine a wood species;
Distribution: Where is the tree naturally located geographically.
Tree Size: What largest the tree grows.
Average Dried Weight: Weight of tree once felled and dried.
Janka Hardness: Measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and
wear.
Modulus of Rupture: The mechanical parameter for brittle material, is
defined as a material's ability to resist deformation under load.
Elastic Modulus: The number that measures the wood's resistance to being
deformed elastically when a force is applied to it.
Crushing Strength: The capacity of a wood type to withstand loads tending to
reduce size.
Shrinkage: How much does the wood shrink upon drying.
Color: Color and appearance of wood.
Grain: The Grain type and texture of the wood.
Rot Resistance: How well does the wood once exposed naturally resist rotting.
Workability: How easy is it to work the wood, whether its cutting, sanding, carving, steaming, etc...
Odor: How does the wood smell.
Toxicity: Some woods cause allegic reactions and are toxic to people, this determines to what level.
Pricing and Availability: This defines the amount of wood available and the overall price for said wood.
Sustainability: Lets the buyer know if the tree from which the wood comes is sustainable or endangered.
Common Soft Woods
Below is a list of some of the most commonly used softwoods in the woodworking world today.
1) Western Red Cedar
2) Black Cottonwood
3) Atlantic White Cedar
4) Yellow Buckeye
5) Subalpine Fir
6) Northern White Cedar
7) European Silver Fir
8) Balsam Poplar
9) Paulownia
10) Balsa
Common Hard Woods
Below is a list of some of the most commonly used Hardwoods in the woodworking world today.
1) Cebil
2) Katalox/Wamara
3) Black Ironwood
4) African Blackwood
5) Camelthorn
6) Verawood
7) Snakewood
8) Gidgee
9) Lignum Vitae
10) Quebracho
Strange Wood Side Effects
As previously mentioned, some woods have very strange side effects on people, in addition to the common ones. These effects are listed below.
1) Irratation (eyes, skin, nose, mouth, ears)
2) Asthma and Wheezing
3) Nausea
4) Nervous system Effects
5) Nosebleeds
6) Skin Lesions and Rashes
7) Giddiness
8) Excessive drymouth or salivation
9) Pink Eye
10) Headaches
11) Sepsis from splinters
12) Swelling, particularly of hands, feet and testes
13) Hallucinations
14) Pneumonia
15) Cardiac effects and blood hemoraging
16) Cancer
17) Bowel, digestive and kidney problems
