Common Trade Names: American beech
Scientific Name: Fagus grandifolia
Color Range: pale cream to reddish brown color; beech wood veneer is slightly darker because of the steam exposure
Availability: readily available and affordable domestically
Janka Scale Hardness: 1300 lbf
Average Weight per BF: 45 lbs/ft3
What Is Beech Lumber?
Highly valued for its superior strength, hardness and wear resistance, beech is a useful wood for many applications. There are about 10 species from this genus, with the American beech (F. grandifolia) and the European beech (F. sylvatica) as the most common beech species sold as lumber.
Beech dries really fast, but it has a strong tendency to warp and split. Hence, a proper and skilled drying method is required. Beech lumber also shrinks a lot during the drying process.
Where Does Beech Come From?
Beech comes from temperate and subtropical regions in the Northern Hemisphere. The American beech is native to eastern North America, while its European counterpart proliferates more in England and Eurasia. Both trees play ornamental roles in Europe and North America but are also sourced as timber.
Other beech species, such as the Chinese beech (F. engleriana) and the Japanese blue beech (F. japonica), grow in Asia. The Japanese or Siebold’s beech (F. crenata) grows in the Western Hemisphere and is primarily used as an ornamental and shade tree. Other species of the beech genus proliferate and are cultivated throughout the world.
Is Beech Hardwood or Softwood?
Beech is a deciduous tree, which means that it is a hardwood. The beech tree loses its leaves during autumn and winter. It is also one of the hardest hardwoods with a hardness rating of 1300 lbf on the Janka Hardness Scale for the American beech, while the European beech has a 1450 lbf rating.
What to Look for When Purchasing Beech Lumber
Beech lumber is popular among buyers and woodworkers for its durability and strength. But these are not the only things you must look for when buying beech wood. When buying lumber, always ask for the grade of the lumber being sold. The lower the number, the better it is.
Also, check for the grain structure because it denotes the stability of the wood. Choose lumber without any defects, such as knots and splits. Do not forget to ask how the lumber is dried and for how long. Proper drying of wood guarantees its dimensional stability, which is vital to keeping the wood steady and firm.
FAQs
Can beech furniture go outside?
Despite being a strong hardwood, beech is not made for outside applications. Outdoor elements and moisture can harm beech wood and cause it to rot and decay. Beech reacts badly to humidity and may even develop mildew.
Is beech lumber workable?
Beech lumber rates well in workability. Beech responds to hand and machine tools easily. It also glues, nails, stains and finishes well. Beech also has impressive turning and steam-bending properties. On the flip side, beech may not be a stable wood if not dried properly as it moves a lot.
How can I tell if I have real beech wood?
Beech has a pale straw or cream color laced with occasional pink or brown streaks. Veneer from beech wood has a more golden tone after it undergoes steam preparation. Flatsawn beech has plain surfaces, while quartersawn ones may have a silvery fleck pattern.
Where to Buy Beech Lumber
Local mills and lumber yards have a wide range of reasonably priced wood products. The only thing you have to consider is their reliability. Having a trustworthy supplier of wood products speaks a lot about the success of your project.
Alderfer Lumber Company Inc. is a local lumber retailer with years of experience in the industry. Our knowledge and expertise in different wood species allow us to provide our valued customers with the best service possible. Whether you are an amateur or seasoned woodworker, you can rely on our extensive wood inventory, which includes – but is not limited to – live edge slabs and lumber.
Specifically, our beech lumber is top-grade FAS. We want to provide our clients with excellent and premium quality lumber for all their woodwork. To check our current inventory of beech lumber and other products, you can contact us for inquiries. For ready-made furniture, you may visit our Etsy Shop to look for finished products.
