Beech

Fagus grandifolia

Upper section is shown with water-based finish; lower section finished with oil-based finish

Appearance

Color: Heartwood is mostly reddish brown; sapwood is generally pale white.
Grain: Mostly closed, straight grain; fine, uniform texture. Coarser than European beech.
Variations Within Species And Grades: Only one species is native to the United States. Moderate to high color variation between boards.

Properties

Hardness/Janka: Janka Hardness: 1300 (1% harder than Northern red oak.

Dimensional Stability: Below average (11.9%; 38% less stable than Northern red oak).
Durability:

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Difficult to work with hand tools, but good machining qualities.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily if correct sanding sequence is followed.

Nailing: Has a tendency to split the tongues.
Finishing: May be difficult to stain.

Comments:

Cost

Multiplier:

Availability

Moderately available. Origin is North America