Hardwoods grow in California. However, most broad leaf woodworking lumber comes from the Eastern United States. Accordingly, few woodworkers are aware of the native California hardwood species. Many unique woods grow here in the Golden State. Here is a list of the top five hardwoods native to California.
#1 CA HARDWOOD : Tan Oak Wood
Notholithocarpus densiflorus, commonly known as the tanoak or tanbark-oak, is a broadleaf tree in the family Fagaceae, native to the western United States, in California as far south as the Transverse Ranges, north to southwest Oregon, and east in the Sierra Nevada.
source: Wikipedia
California Tan Oak, despite its name, is not a real oak. In fact, it is a slow growing evergreen tree related to Chestnut, Oak and Beechwood.
The name tan oak does not refer to the wood’s color. It is a throwback to California’s leather tanning industry. The wood was prized by leather tanners for it high tannic acid content. Accordingly, tan oak was used extensively to extract natural tannin in leatherwork.
Tan Oak is a unique California lumber specie. However, it is not widely commercially sawn for hardwood lumber/plywood applications. Largely, this is due to kiln drying difficulty.
#2 CA HARDWOOD: Madrone
Americans refer to it as the Pacific madrone tree or madrona tree. It is known in Canada as the Arbutus tree
source: Wagner Meters
Madrone wood has fine grain, similar to maple. This dense hardwood makes elegant flooring. Additionally, it’s extended burn time (btu) and relatively small ash production makes for ideal firewood. Unfortunately, like tan oak, madrone is a difficult wood to kiln dry. It’s prone to warpage and kiln defects. Accordingly, it’s not widely harvested into grade lumber for woodworking applications.
#3 CA HARDWOOD California Black Oak
Quercus kelloggii, the California black oak, also known as Kellogg oak, is an oak in the red oak section, native to western North America.
source: Wikipedia
California black oak the most widely grown oak specie native to California. Additionally, this slow-growing wood is closest in appearance to the more commonly available Eastern Red Oak. Unfortunately, kiln drying is difficult. If the black oak is not seasoned and handle well & on a timely schedule, drying defects occur. Common drying defects include stain, end checking, surface checking, twist, bow and cupping.
#4 CA HARDWOOD: Claro Walnut
Quercus kelloggii, the California black oak, also known as Kellogg oak, is an oak in the red oak section, native to western North America.
source: Wikipedia
Claro Walnut ,Juglans hindsii, is a species of walnut tree native to California. However, it grows as far north as Washington. It’s known for its deep rich multi-color tone marbled palette.
Similar in machinability and durability to Eastern Black Walnut, it also finishes and polishes to a deep rich color. Claro is one of the most commonly sawn woodworking woods native to California. It’s typically available in slab, live-edge, lumber and turning blank form. Claro walnut is a prized wood among luthiers and rifle stock and gun grip manufacturers.
#5 CA HARDWOOD: Big Leaf Maple
Bigleaf maple is second to red alder among native hardwood species in abundance and in commercial importance in the Pacific Northwest. It is the only western maple that reaches commercial size, yet its potential as a commercial species has not been fully recognized.
source: Oregon State University
Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum) or Western Pacific Coast Maple is a large growing maple tree native to California and western North America. It’s grain has a very appearance to Eastern White Hard Sugar, Red Leaf and Silver Leaf Maples. However, Big Leaf has a darker tan color tone, similar to that of Alder wood. Additionally, unlike its east coast counterparts, there is very minor color distinction between its heartwood and sapwood.
Bigleaf maple is currently the most commonly commercially available hardwood timber found in California.
Guitar builders use Big Leaf figured maple for guitar top sets. It has a lower density than that of Eastern Maple, so the it also produces light weight guitar bodies.
Of all the maple varieties, Pacific Coast Maple is the only one that produces high density quilt figure. The wood is also popular with woodworkers, woodturners and furniture manufacturers.
Interestingly, there is an emerging boutique market for Big Leaf Maple syrup.
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