Hardwood facts & stats

Question 1

Which of these trees produces softwood?

Accepted Answer

Pine. Pine is a conifer, so its wood is classed as softwood.

Question 2

What does counting a tree's growth rings usually tell you?

Accepted Answer

Its age in years. Many trees add one ring of wood each growing season, so rings reveal age.

Question 3

Balsa, one of the lightest woods, is botanically classified as what?

Accepted Answer

A hardwood. 'Hardwood' is a botanical class, not a measure of hardness, and balsa comes from a flowering tree.

Question 4

The Janka test measures a wood's resistance to what?

Accepted Answer

Denting, by pressing in a steel ball. The Janka test measures the force needed to push a steel ball halfway into the wood.

Question 5

In tongue-and-groove flooring, how do boards connect?

Accepted Answer

A ridge on one board fits into a slot on the next. The tongue slots into the neighbouring board's groove, locking boards into a flat surface.

Question 6

Why is a small gap usually left around the edges of a solid wood floor?

Accepted Answer

Wood expands and shrinks with humidity. Wood takes in and releases moisture, so an expansion gap keeps boards from buckling.

Question 7

Ebony and lignum vitae share which notable property?

Accepted Answer

They can be dense enough to sink in water. These very dense hardwoods can be heavier than water, unlike most woods, which float.

Question 8

In quartersawn lumber, the growth rings meet the board's face at what kind of angle?

Accepted Answer

Steep, roughly 60 to 90 degrees. Quartersawing gives steep ring angles, making boards more stable and showing straight grain.

The basics