Wood Species Guide
Every species of wood has distinct characteristics that make it suited to particular applications. This guide covers the species you will most commonly find in California reclaimed lumber and helps you choose the right wood for your project.
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Understanding Wood Species in Reclaimed Lumber
Reclaimed lumber offers access to species and growth characteristics that are difficult or impossible to find in modern lumber yards. Old-growth timber — harvested from trees that grew for hundreds of years before first being milled — produces tighter grain patterns, higher density, and superior stability compared to the faster-grown plantation wood available today.
In California, the reclaimed lumber supply reflects the state's rich building history. Demolished barns, factories, warehouses, railroad infrastructure, and vintage homes yield species ranging from West Coast softwoods like Douglas Fir and Redwood to hardwoods like White Oak and Walnut.
Why species matters: Different species have different hardness, decay resistance, workability, and aesthetic profiles. Specifying the right species ensures your project performs well and looks the way you envision.
Species at a Glance
| Species | Hardness (Janka) | Decay Resistance | Workability | Reclaimed Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Fir | 660 lbf | Moderate | Good | Very High |
| White Oak | 1,360 lbf | Very High | Moderate | High |
| Red Oak | 1,290 lbf | Low | Good | Moderate |
| Ponderosa Pine | 460 lbf | Low | Excellent | High |
| Heart Pine | 1,225 lbf | High | Good | Moderate |
| Western Red Cedar | 350 lbf | Very High | Excellent | Moderate |
| Coast Redwood | 420 lbf | Very High | Excellent | Moderate |
| Black Walnut | 1,010 lbf | High | Good | Low |
| Maple (Hard) | 1,450 lbf | Low | Moderate | Low-Moderate |
| American Chestnut | 540 lbf | Very High | Good | Rare (reclaimed only) |
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir is the most abundant species in California's reclaimed lumber supply. It was the primary structural and general-purpose timber used throughout the western United States for over a century. Old-growth reclaimed Douglas Fir is prized for its tight, vertical grain, reddish-brown heartwood, and exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.
Reclaimed Douglas Fir timbers salvaged from old warehouses and industrial buildings often measure 8x8, 10x10, or larger — dimensions that are rarely available in new timber. These massive beams are highly sought after for exposed beam applications, mantels, and architectural features.
Douglas Fir Properties
- Janka Hardness: 660 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.48
- Color: Light yellowish to reddish-brown
- Grain: Straight, tight in old-growth
- Decay Resistance: Moderate
- Best Uses: Beams, flooring, decking, timberframe, furniture
White Oak
White Oak is among the most versatile and durable hardwoods available in reclaimed form. Its closed-cell structure makes it exceptionally resistant to water and decay — the same property that makes it the traditional choice for wine and whiskey barrels. Reclaimed White Oak is sourced from old flooring, furniture, barn timbers, and industrial structures.
The species develops a beautiful warm honey-to-brown patina over time. Its prominent ray flecks, visible on quartersawn faces, add visual interest that is highly valued in furniture making, flooring, and cabinetry.
White Oak Properties
- Janka Hardness: 1,360 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.68
- Color: Light to medium brown
- Grain: Straight to slightly irregular, prominent rays
- Decay Resistance: Very High
- Best Uses: Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, outdoor structures, boat building
Pine (Ponderosa, Sugar, Eastern White)
Pine is one of the most widely available and economical species in both new and reclaimed lumber. In California, Ponderosa Pine and Sugar Pine are the most common reclaimed varieties. Eastern White Pine appears in material shipped from eastern states. All pine species are lightweight, easy to work, and take stain and paint well.
Heart Pine — the dense heartwood of old-growth Southern Yellow Pine — deserves special mention. With a Janka hardness of 1,225 lbf, it is far harder than most softwoods and was the dominant flooring material in American homes for over two centuries. Reclaimed Heart Pine is one of the most sought-after species for high-end flooring and furniture.
Pine Properties (Ponderosa)
- Janka Hardness: 460 lbf (Ponderosa) / 1,225 lbf (Heart Pine)
- Specific Gravity: 0.40 (Ponderosa) / 0.59 (Heart Pine)
- Color: Light yellow to warm amber (darkens with age)
- Grain: Straight, even texture, distinctive knots
- Decay Resistance: Low (Ponderosa) / High (Heart Pine)
- Best Uses: Paneling, shelving, flooring (Heart Pine), trim, furniture, craft
Coast Redwood
Redwood is California's signature species and holds a special place in the state's building heritage. Old-growth Redwood is no longer commercially harvested, making reclaimed Redwood the only source for this exceptional material. Its deep reddish-brown heartwood, naturally straight grain, and outstanding decay resistance make it one of the most desirable woods in the world.
Reclaimed Redwood is sourced from old water tanks, bridges, vineyard stakes, fencing, siding, and decommissioned industrial structures throughout Northern California. Despite being a softwood, old-growth Redwood is remarkably stable and resistant to warping, splitting, and insect damage.
Coast Redwood Properties
- Janka Hardness: 420 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.35
- Color: Deep reddish-brown heartwood, cream sapwood
- Grain: Straight, fine, very uniform
- Decay Resistance: Very High (heartwood)
- Best Uses: Siding, decking, outdoor furniture, hot tubs, garden beds, fencing
Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar is renowned for its exceptional natural decay resistance and aromatic properties. The heartwood contains thujaplicin, a natural preservative that makes it one of the most durable softwoods available — even without chemical treatment. This property makes reclaimed Cedar especially valuable, as the wood often remains in excellent condition after decades of outdoor exposure.
Reclaimed Cedar is commonly sourced from old shake roofs, siding, fencing, and outdoor structures. Its distinctive warm reddish-brown color, light weight, and dimensional stability make it a premium choice for any outdoor application.
Western Red Cedar Properties
- Janka Hardness: 350 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.32
- Color: Reddish-brown to pink, silvery gray when weathered
- Grain: Straight, fine, even texture
- Decay Resistance: Very High
- Best Uses: Siding, shingles, decking, closet lining, outdoor furniture
More Species Found in Reclaimed Lumber
Black Walnut
Rich chocolate-brown heartwood that is the pinnacle of American fine woodworking. Reclaimed Walnut is rare and commands premium prices. Used for furniture, gunstocks, cabinetry, and turned objects. Janka hardness: 1,010 lbf.
Premium HardwoodHard Maple
One of the hardest domestic species at 1,450 lbf Janka. Prized for its light, creamy color and smooth, closed-grain texture. Reclaimed Maple is sourced from old bowling alleys, gym floors, and industrial flooring. Excellent for butcher blocks and workbenches.
HardwoodAmerican Chestnut
Functionally extinct in the wild since the chestnut blight of the early 1900s. Only available as reclaimed material from barns, fencing, and cabin structures built before the blight. Warm brown color, excellent decay resistance, and extreme rarity make it a collector's species.
Rare / Reclaimed OnlyRed Oak
The most common hardwood flooring species in America. Reclaimed Red Oak comes from old flooring, furniture, and millwork. Its prominent grain and pinkish-brown color make it a classic choice. Unlike White Oak, Red Oak is not water-resistant due to its open pores. Janka: 1,290 lbf.
HardwoodWhite Pine (Eastern)
Soft, light, and easily worked. Old-growth Eastern White Pine was used extensively in early American construction and furniture. Reclaimed boards can be exceptionally wide — 18 to 24 inches — widths no longer available in new stock. Janka: 380 lbf.
SoftwoodCypress
Bald Cypress heartwood contains cypressene, a natural preservative oil that grants outstanding decay and insect resistance. Reclaimed Cypress is sourced from Southern structures, cisterns, and marine applications. Light honey color with a unique grain pattern. Janka: 510 lbf.
Decay ResistantDetailed Species Profiles
Beyond the headline species, dozens of additional woods turn up in California reclaimed stock. The profiles below cover the most important characteristics, sustainability notes, and typical applications for each.
Heart Pine (Longleaf Pine, Pinus palustris)
Old-growth Longleaf Pine — known in the trade as Heart Pine — is one of the most storied building materials in American history. Once dominant across 90 million acres of the Southeastern coastal plain, the species was almost entirely logged out by 1930. Surviving Heart Pine exists almost exclusively as reclaimed material from Southern textile mills, warehouses, and grand homes built between 1850 and 1920.
The wood is dense, dimensionally stable, and develops an exceptional warm amber-to-deep orange color as it ages. Resin content gives Heart Pine its natural decay resistance and characteristic aromatic qualities. Growth rings are tight — old-growth boards commonly show 20 to 40 rings per inch, indicating the wood was milled from trees that were 200 to 400 years old.
- Janka Hardness: 1,225 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.59
- Color: Deep amber to reddish-orange heartwood
- Grain: Straight, very tight, dramatic resin streaking
- Decay Resistance: High (heartwood)
- Sustainability: Available only as reclaimed; no commercial new harvest
- Best Uses: Premium flooring, fine furniture, mantels, cabinetry, exposed beams
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Eastern White Pine was the foundation timber of Colonial America. Massive old-growth specimens — some over 200 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter — were prized by the British Royal Navy for ship masts (the famous Broad Arrow mark). The species built New England and shaped early American architecture before nearly being logged to commercial extinction.
Reclaimed Eastern White Pine boards from Colonial-era barns and homes can be remarkably wide — 18 to 24 inches is not unusual, and 30+ inch boards exist. The wood is soft, stable, light in weight, and develops a beautiful warm honey color as it ages. It works exceptionally well with hand tools and takes paint and milk wash beautifully.
- Janka Hardness: 380 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.35
- Color: Pale yellow when fresh, deep amber-honey when aged
- Grain: Straight, very even, often knot-free in wide boards
- Decay Resistance: Low to moderate
- Sustainability: Modern second-growth available; old-growth only as reclaimed
- Best Uses: Wide-plank flooring, paneling, traditional furniture, hand-tool projects
American Chestnut (Castanea dentata)
Once called the perfect tree, American Chestnut accounted for one in every four hardwood trees in the Eastern forest before the chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) arrived from Asia in 1904. Within forty years, an estimated four billion mature American Chestnuts had died. The species survives only as small understory sprouts that succumb to blight before reaching maturity.
All commercially available American Chestnut today is reclaimed from buildings constructed before approximately 1940. Barn timbers, cabin siding, and old fencing are the primary sources. The wood combines lightness, strength, decay resistance, and a distinctive warm brown color that has made it irreplaceable for restoration of historic buildings. Wormy Chestnut — material with patterned worm holes from blight-killed timber — is especially prized.
- Janka Hardness: 540 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.43
- Color: Light to medium brown, similar to Oak
- Grain: Coarse, similar ring-porous structure to Oak
- Decay Resistance: Very High
- Sustainability: Commercially extinct; reclaimed-only forever
- Best Uses: Restoration work, character paneling, fine furniture, architectural features
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Bald Cypress is the iconic deciduous conifer of the Southern swamps and bayous. The heartwood contains cypressene, a natural oil that grants extraordinary resistance to decay, insects, and water. Old-growth Cypress was the go-to material for water tanks, cisterns, river boats, and cooling towers throughout the South.
Sinker Cypress — logs that were lost during 19th century river drives and rested for over a century in the cool, anaerobic mud at the bottom of Southern rivers — produces wood with unique mineral staining and even greater density than dryland Cypress. Most new Cypress today comes from second-growth stands and lacks the density and decay resistance of old-growth or sinker material.
- Janka Hardness: 510 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.46
- Color: Light yellow-brown to honey, with darker mineral streaking
- Grain: Straight, often with prominent growth ring contrast
- Decay Resistance: Very High (old-growth heartwood)
- Sustainability: Reclaimed and sinker stock are most sustainable choices
- Best Uses: Outdoor structures, siding, boat building, cisterns, paneling
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Black Walnut is the king of American hardwoods, prized for its rich chocolate-brown heartwood, fine working properties, and dimensional stability. The species ranges across the Eastern half of the United States but never grew in commercial concentrations, making it perpetually scarce and expensive. A single mature Walnut tree can sell for tens of thousands of dollars on the standing market.
Reclaimed Walnut is rare. It typically comes from antique furniture, gunstock blanks, or the timbers of high-end 19th century construction. Even small reclaimed Walnut boards command premium prices and are typically reserved for fine furniture, jewelry boxes, musical instruments, and turning projects.
- Janka Hardness: 1,010 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.55
- Color: Rich chocolate brown to purple-brown heartwood
- Grain: Generally straight, sometimes wavy or curly
- Decay Resistance: Very High
- Sustainability: Slow growing; scarce in any form
- Best Uses: Fine furniture, gunstocks, instruments, turning, carving, veneer
Hard Maple / Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Hard Maple is one of the densest and hardest of the common American hardwoods. The species produces the wood used for bowling alley flooring, basketball court hardwood, butcher blocks, gym floors, and dance studios. Its closed-grain structure resists food staining and bacterial growth, making it the standard for cutting surfaces and food preparation.
Reclaimed Hard Maple comes primarily from decommissioned bowling alleys, school gym floors, and industrial workspaces. The wood is creamy white to light tan with subtle grain that highlights any tool marks or patina from previous use. Curly Maple and Birdseye Maple are figured varieties that command extreme premiums when found in reclaimed stock.
- Janka Hardness: 1,450 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.63
- Color: Cream to light tan, sometimes pinkish
- Grain: Straight, fine, sometimes wavy or birdseye figure
- Decay Resistance: Low
- Sustainability: Sustainably managed Northern forests provide most new stock
- Best Uses: Butcher blocks, flooring, cabinetry, workbenches, kitchen utensils
Coast Redwood, Old-Growth (Sequoia sempervirens)
Coast Redwood is California's signature species and one of the most remarkable woods in the world. Old-growth Redwood — material from trees 500 to 2,000 years old — is extraordinarily decay-resistant, dimensionally stable, and naturally beautiful. Old-growth harvest has been essentially halted since the 1990s, making reclaimed Redwood the only significant source of true old-growth material.
Reclaimed Redwood is sourced from old water tanks, cooling towers, vineyard structures, wine vats, fences, siding, and industrial buildings. The wood is light, soft for cutting and shaping, holds finishes beautifully, and ages to a silvery patina or deep wine red depending on exposure. The complete absence of pitch makes Redwood ideal for finish work, furniture, and applications where staining is unwanted.
- Janka Hardness: 420 lbf (old-growth) / 480 lbf (second-growth)
- Specific Gravity: 0.35 to 0.40
- Color: Deep cherry red to wine purple heartwood, cream sapwood
- Grain: Very straight, fine, exceptionally uniform in old-growth
- Decay Resistance: Very High (old-growth heartwood)
- Sustainability: Reclaimed only for old-growth; second-growth is FSC certified
- Best Uses: Outdoor furniture, decks, hot tubs, siding, raised beds, fencing
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Western Red Cedar is the premier outdoor softwood of the Pacific Northwest. The heartwood contains thujaplicin, a natural fungicide that provides extraordinary decay resistance without chemical treatment. Cedar is light, soft, dimensionally stable, and develops a silvery gray patina over decades of weathering.
Reclaimed Cedar comes from old shake roofs (which often last 60+ years), siding, fencing, decking, and outbuildings. The wood's aromatic oils repel moths and other insects, making Cedar the traditional choice for closet and chest linings. Old-growth Cedar shakes and shingles are particularly prized for restoration of Craftsman and historic Pacific Northwest architecture.
- Janka Hardness: 350 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.32
- Color: Reddish-brown to pinkish-tan heartwood, cream sapwood
- Grain: Straight, fine, occasional pin knots
- Decay Resistance: Very High
- Sustainability: Sustainably harvested in BC; reclaimed widely available
- Best Uses: Siding, shingles, decking, closet lining, outdoor furniture, hot tubs
White Oak (Quercus alba and related species)
White Oak is among the most useful and versatile hardwoods in the world. The closed-cell structure (ray cells called tyloses block the pores) makes the wood waterproof — the same property that makes it the universal choice for whiskey barrels, wine barrels, ship timbers, and exterior architecture. White Oak develops a distinctive ray fleck pattern when quartersawn, especially in Mission and Arts and Crafts furniture.
Reclaimed White Oak comes from antique furniture, mill flooring, factory beams, ship timbers, and old barn construction. The wood ages to a deep honey-brown color and develops a beautiful patina over decades of use. Quartersawn reclaimed White Oak is especially valuable for furniture restoration and reproduction of Stickley-era designs.
- Janka Hardness: 1,360 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.68
- Color: Light to medium brown, sometimes with greenish tints
- Grain: Straight, prominent ray flecks when quartersawn
- Decay Resistance: Very High
- Sustainability: Abundantly available in managed Eastern forests
- Best Uses: Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boat building, barrel staves, outdoor construction
Red Oak (Quercus rubra and related species)
Red Oak is the most commonly used hardwood in American furniture and flooring. Unlike White Oak, Red Oak has open pores (no tyloses) which make the wood unsuitable for water contact. Despite this limitation, the species' ready availability, attractive grain, and excellent workability have made it the standard hardwood flooring of America.
Reclaimed Red Oak comes principally from old residential flooring removed during renovations. The wood has a distinctive pinkish-brown cast with prominent grain patterns. It is slightly less dense than White Oak but takes stains and finishes beautifully. Quartersawn Red Oak shows ray flecks similar to White Oak but with warmer color.
- Janka Hardness: 1,290 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.63
- Color: Light pinkish-tan to medium reddish-brown
- Grain: Coarse, prominent open pores, ray flecks when quartersawn
- Decay Resistance: Low (open pores absorb moisture)
- Sustainability: Most abundant hardwood in U.S. forests
- Best Uses: Interior flooring, cabinetry, furniture, trim, paneling
Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Douglas Fir is the structural backbone of Western North American construction. The species combines high strength, dimensional stability, attractive vertical grain in old-growth stock, and abundance unmatched by any other Western species. Old-growth Douglas Fir from the Pacific Northwest produces some of the finest structural and architectural lumber in the world.
Reclaimed Douglas Fir is the most abundant species in California's reclaimed lumber supply. It comes from warehouses, factories, mills, breweries, vineyards, and old residential construction. Old-growth specimens commonly show 20 to 50 growth rings per inch and dimensions up to 16x16 in lengths of 40 feet or more.
- Janka Hardness: 660 lbf (Coastal) / 510 lbf (Interior)
- Specific Gravity: 0.48 (old-growth higher)
- Color: Light yellow to reddish-tan, ages to warm amber
- Grain: Very straight, tight in old-growth, prominent vertical lines
- Decay Resistance: Moderate (heartwood)
- Sustainability: Sustainably harvested second-growth widely available
- Best Uses: Structural framing, beams, flooring, decking, exposed timber, furniture
Hickory (Carya spp.)
Hickory is the hardest and toughest commercial hardwood in North America. The wood combines extreme density with remarkable shock resistance, making it the traditional choice for tool handles, drumsticks, baseball bats, and ladder rungs. Hickory was also used extensively for wagon wheels, axe handles, and any application requiring impact resistance without brittleness.
Reclaimed Hickory is occasionally found in old tool handles, agricultural equipment, and rural barn construction. Its dramatic color contrast — pale sapwood next to dark heartwood — and bold grain pattern make it a striking choice for character flooring and rustic furniture.
- Janka Hardness: 1,820 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.72
- Color: Pale white sapwood next to dark reddish-brown heartwood
- Grain: Straight to slightly wavy, coarse texture
- Decay Resistance: Low
- Sustainability: Sustainably managed in Eastern forests
- Best Uses: Tool handles, flooring, sporting goods, drumsticks, smoking wood
Cherry (Prunus serotina, American Black Cherry)
American Black Cherry is one of the most beloved cabinetry and furniture woods. The wood is moderately hard, easy to work, and famous for the way it darkens and develops a rich red-brown patina with age and exposure to light. Old Cherry furniture often achieves a deep mahogany-like color that is impossible to replicate with stain.
Reclaimed Cherry is uncommon but appears in antique furniture, old cabinet shop cut-offs, and occasional 19th century home interior trim. Its smooth working properties, fine grain, and color development make it the species of choice for fine cabinetry, interior trim, and furniture in traditional American styles.
- Janka Hardness: 950 lbf
- Specific Gravity: 0.50
- Color: Light pinkish brown when fresh, darkens to deep red-brown
- Grain: Straight, fine, with subtle figure and occasional gum streaks
- Decay Resistance: Moderate
- Sustainability: Sustainably harvested in Pennsylvania and Appalachia
- Best Uses: Fine furniture, cabinetry, paneling, turned objects, musical instruments
Species Sustainability Notes
Choosing reclaimed wood is always more sustainable than choosing newly harvested material, but the relative impact varies by species. Some species — like American Chestnut, old-growth Heart Pine, and old-growth Redwood — are commercially extinct and exist only as reclaimed stock. Others are sustainably harvested in modern managed forests but offer significantly better growth characteristics in old reclaimed form.
Reclaimed Only (Commercially Extinct)
American Chestnut, virgin Heart Pine, old-growth Redwood, virgin Cypress. These species cannot be obtained as new lumber at any price. Reclaimed stock is the only source for restoration and replication of historic woodwork.
Critical ReclaimReclaimed Strongly Preferred
Old-growth Douglas Fir, old-growth Eastern White Pine, old-growth Cedar. New stock exists but lacks the density, stability, and grain character of the original old-growth. Reclaimed material provides irreplaceable building qualities.
Quality ReclaimSustainably New or Reclaimed
White Oak, Red Oak, Hard Maple, Hickory, Cherry. These hardwoods are well-managed in modern Eastern forests. Reclaimed offers character and lower carbon footprint; new offers consistent grading and lower cost.
Either Choice GoodJanka Hardness Reference
The Janka hardness test measures the force in pounds (lbf) required to embed an 11.28 mm steel ball halfway into a wood sample. It is the industry-standard measure of wood hardness, used to predict how a species will resist denting, wear, and impact. The table below sorts common species by Janka rating.
| Species | Janka (lbf) | Hardness Class | Flooring Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Red Cedar | 350 | Very Soft | Light traffic only |
| Eastern White Pine | 380 | Very Soft | Antique-style only |
| Coast Redwood | 420 | Very Soft | Limited interior |
| Ponderosa Pine | 460 | Soft | Light residential |
| Bald Cypress | 510 | Soft | Moderate residential |
| American Chestnut | 540 | Soft | Moderate residential |
| Douglas Fir | 660 | Medium-Soft | Standard residential |
| Cherry | 950 | Medium | Standard residential |
| Black Walnut | 1,010 | Medium | Standard residential |
| Heart Pine | 1,225 | Medium-Hard | High-traffic residential |
| Red Oak | 1,290 | Medium-Hard | High-traffic residential |
| White Oak | 1,360 | Hard | Commercial-grade |
| Hard Maple | 1,450 | Hard | Commercial-grade |
| Hickory | 1,820 | Very Hard | Heavy commercial |
How to Choose the Right Species
| Application | Recommended Species | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Interior flooring | White Oak, Heart Pine, Hard Maple, Red Oak | High hardness resists foot traffic and denting |
| Outdoor decking | Redwood, Cedar, Douglas Fir | Natural decay resistance, dimensional stability |
| Exposed beams | Douglas Fir, White Oak | Strength, large dimensions available, attractive grain |
| Furniture | Black Walnut, White Oak, Cherry, Hard Maple | Fine grain, beautiful finish, workability |
| Accent walls | Reclaimed Pine, mixed species | Character, color variation, cost-effective |
| Fencing & garden | Cedar, Redwood, Cypress | Decay resistance without chemical treatment |
| Structural framing | Douglas Fir, Southern Pine | High strength values, code-recognized |
| Siding | Redwood, Cedar, Cypress | Weather resistance, dimensional stability |
Need help choosing? Our team at CA Lumber Recycling can recommend the ideal species for your project based on application, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Visit our FAQ for more guidance, or browse our lumber grades guide to pair species selection with the right grade.