Common Honeysuckle (Shrub form)
Lonicera tatarica • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight to slightly irregular in small branches; very fine texture with diffuse-porous structure and inconspicuous growth rings.
Color Description
Sapwood is yellowish-white to cream; heartwood is pale yellowish-brown. The wood tends to gray significantly when weathered outdoors.
Hardness Rating
800-1,000 lbf (Medium - estimated based on genus Lonicera)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; very susceptible to rot and insect attack when in contact with soil or exposed to moisture.
Common Uses
Walking sticks, small turnings, craft items, or fuel. Not a commercial timber species due to small diameters.
Geographic Origin
Native to Central Asia and Europe; widely naturalized and invasive in North America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
No commercial timber value; primarily considered a landscape weed or invasive species.
Wood Age Estimate
The living shrub specimen appears to be 15-25 years old based on the thickness and complexity of the primary stems.
Sustainability Status
Not listed by CITES or IUCN; considered an invasive weed in many regions of the United States.
Workability
Difficult to work due to small, twisty diameters and frequent knots. It is tough and flexible when green but can be brittle when dry.
Notable Features
Features a hollow pith in many species of the genus; very thin, peeling bark on older stems; often used as a medicinal plant or for its fragrant flowers.
Finish Recommendations
Simple oils or clear wax to preserve the pale color. Requires thorough drying to prevent checking.
Identification Confidence
Medium; identified based on the characteristic peeling, shaggy grey bark, shrubby growth habit, and the presence of small red berries in a field setting.