Hardwood Lumber
Hardwood lumber is the core component of Commercial Forest Products’ operations. In addition to distributing and wholesaling kiln dried hardwood lumber, Commercial Forest Products manufactures premium custom unfinished hardwood floors, mouldings, handrails, crown mouldings and more.
Which Lumber is Hardwood?
Hardwood lumber comes from broad-leafed trees which are seed-bearing rather than coniferous. Accordingly, species such oak, walnut, cherry, alder, hickory, maple and mahogany are among the most common hardwoods in North America.
However, all hardwoods are not hard or dense. For example, basswood, paulownia, poplar and balsa are relatively soft, low density hardwoods.
Most hardwoods, with the exception of balsa wood, are harder than softwoods and not as easily dented. Hardwood trees require a longer time to come to maturity, so their lumber is more highly priced than softwood lumber.
Categories of Hardwoods
Typically, North American hardwood lumber companies classify their lumber inventory in one of two categories: Domestic Lumber or Exotic Lumber.
Domestic Lumber
Domestic lumber refers to North American-based wood species only.
Species of domestic hardwood lumber are plentiful & commonly available to woodworkers through retail lumber yards and hardwood distributors.
Domestic Hardwoods Regions
Within North America, hardwoods grow in 5 geographic regions.
- Southern Region
- Southern Appalachian
- Northern Appalachian
- Northern
- Pacific or Western Region
While hardwood species may grow in more than one geographic region, each specie usually has an optimal region where their prices command premiums. For example, Northern Appalachian Cherry has a reputation for rich deep red heartwood color. Whereas, Southern Cherry from Tennessee has a wilder look with more color variation.
Exotic Lumber
Exotic lumber is often used to describe imported lumber or any hardwood originating from outside of North America.
However, in my hardwood lumber industry experience, exotic lumber encompasses more than just imported woods. It also includes unique and rare variations of domestic woods. Figured woods such as curly, spalted birdseye, and quilted maple are considered exotic woods even though they are domestic hardwoods.
