Flowering Dogwood (Persimmon/Oak bark profile similarity noted)
Cornus florida · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America (from southern Ontario south to northern Florida and west to eastern Texas)
- Hardness
- 2,150 lbf (Very Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable; susceptible to decay and insect attack if exposed to moisture without treatment
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Grain Pattern
Straight, extremely fine, uniform texture with tight growth rings; minimal figure visible in raw state
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is light reddish-brown to dark brown, sapwood is pale cream to pinkish-white; turns deeper reddish-tan with UV exposure over time
Hardness (Janka)
2,150 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; susceptible to decay and insect attack if exposed to moisture without treatment
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $8.00 - $15.00 per board foot (rarely commercially milled due to small log sizes)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Living tree trunk sample, estimated trunk diameter suggests a tree approximately 15 to 25 years old
- Sustainability Status
- IUCN Near Threatened (primarily due to dogwood anthracnose disease impact); not CITES listed
Common Uses
Golf club heads, textile shuttles, tool handles, mallet heads, small turned objects, specialty wooden items requiring high impact resistance
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (from southern Ontario south to northern Florida and west to eastern Texas)
Workability
Difficult to work with hand tools due to extreme density; high resistance to cutting, moderate dulling effect on cutters, turns excellently on lathe, glued and finished easily
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains and clear finishes exceptionally well; penetrating oils, shellac, and clear lacquers highlight fine grain
Notable Features
Extremely dense and shock-resistant wood; historic blocky 'alligator hide' bark pattern on mature standing trees; fine, smooth surface when sanded