Appearance
Color: Heartwood
ranges from a deep, rich dark brown to a purplish black. Sapwood is
nearly white to tan. Difference between heartwood and sapwood color is
great; some flooring manufacturers steam lumber to bleed the darker
heartwood color into the sapwood, resu
Grain: Mostly straight and open, but some boards have
burled or curly grain. Arrangements of pores is similar to hickories
and persimmon, but pores are smaller in size.
Variations Within Species And Grades: Great variety
of color and figure within species, as well as variation in color among
boards, especially in lower grades and from material that isn't steamed
prior to kiln-drying.
Properties
Hardness/Janka: 1010;
22% softer than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient
.00274; 26% more stable than red oak).
Durability: Moderately dense, very strong, good shock
resistance. Not as dent-resistant as oak.
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Workability
Sawing/Machining: Easily
worked with hand tools, and has excellent machining qualities.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Fair resistance to splitting; good holding
ability.
Finishing: Finishes nicely, with a handsome grain
pattern.
Comments: Distinctive sweet aroma when worked.
Frequently used as a highlight material for borders or other inlay
techniques.
Cost
(relative to plainsawn select red
oak)
Multiplier: 3.00
Availability
Moderately available, normally in
unfinished parquet, strip and in various plank widths as a special
order. Available in fancy parquet patterns as a special order or custom
mill.
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