American Beech
Fagus grandifolia · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1300 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable; susceptible to insect attack and rot if exposed to moisture/weather.
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a fine, uniform texture. Notable for small, dark medullary rays visible as tiny short dashes (fleck) in the tangential surface.
Color & Appearance
Pale cream to light reddish brown color. Sapwood is very thin and white, nearly indistinguishable from the heartwood in some samples. Maintains a light, clean look with low luster.
Hardness (Janka)
1300 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable; susceptible to insect attack and rot if exposed to moisture/weather.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Approximately $4.00 - $6.50 per board foot.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern processing; appears to be freshly surfaced lumber with no significant oxidation or wear, likely within 1-5 years of harvesting.
- Sustainability Status
- Low concern; not CITES listed or on the IUCN Red List. Widely available and FSC certified sources exist.
Common Uses
Furniture chairs, flooring, cabinetry, tool handles, food containers, crates/pallets, and bentwood parts.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools. Glues and finishes well. Excellent for steam bending. Machines cleanly though it has a high shrinkage rate.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer to preserve the light color. Responds well to stain but is often left natural to showcase the clean, light grain.
Notable Features
Essentially odorless. High density and weight gives it good resistance to wear. It is distinct for its conspicuous medullary rays that look like small stitch marks.
