Species of wood are designated in two main categories according to botanical and anatomical composition.
Comprised of hemicelluloses, lignin, cellulose and small quantities of inessential materials that help give structure to the cells, wood is useful for a variety of purposes. However, due to the variability of these components, different types of wood vary in weight, density and flexibility. Reproduction and anatomy of types of wood allow researchers to categorize different species under the broad classes of hardwood and softwood, which cover many species. Rubberwood, while botanically and anatomically a hardwood, is itself a single species and unique in its ability to be used in the production of wood-based products, but also rubber. Does this Spark an idea?
Hardwoods Grown in the U.S.
Reproductively considered angiosperms, the seeds of hardwoods are encapsulated by the flower's ovary. In addition, hardwoods are recognizable by open-ended wood cells arranged to create a tube that transports necessary sap or water into the tree. Commonly, hardwoods will have large leaves that are shed in the fall or winter, depending on the climate. Hardwoods are most commonly found in the Eastern section of the United States, as well as in certain areas of California, Oregon, and Washington. Species grown in the United States include red Alder, Ash, Oregon Ash, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Paper Birch, Buckeye, Butternut, Basswood, Cherry, Cottonwood, Elm, Hackberry, Hickory, Honeylocust, black Locust, Magnolia, Maple, bigleaf Maple, soft Maple, hard Maple, California black Oak, Oregon white Oak, red and white Oak, Sycamore, Sassafras, Sweetgum, Tanoak, Tupelo, Walnut, Willow and yellow Poplar.
Softwoods Grown in the U.S.
Softwoods are the opposite of hardwoods both in the structure of their reproductive systems and density. Considered gymnosperms, in which the flower's ovary does not contain the seeds, softwoods are nonporous. Rather than large leaves they bear cones and evergreen needles or scale-type leaves. With the exception of the plains region, softwoods can be found throughout the United States. Species grown in the United States include Baldcypress, Atlantic white Cedar, northern white Cedar, Douglas-fir, balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, western Fir, eastern, western and mountain Hemlocks, Incense-cedar, western Larch, multiple Pine species, Port-Orford cedar, Redwood, Tamarack, Engelmann Spruce, Sitka Spruce and eastern Spruce.
Hardwoods Imported to the U.S.
Non-domestic hardwood species have the same biological and anatomical distinctions as their U.S.-bred counterparts. In some case, certain hardwood species grown in the U.S. will also be grown commercially in more sympathetic climates, as is the case with the rubberwood. However, others are distinct to their corners of the world. Such species include Afrormosia, Albarco, Angelique, Andiroba, Azobe, Avodire, Balata, Balau, Cuangare Banak, Balsa, Benge, Ehie, Bubinga, Cativo, Ceiba, Courbaril, Determa, Degame, Ekop, Goncalo Alves, Hura, Greenhart, Ilomba, Iroko, Jarrah, Jelutong, Kapur, Kaneelhart, Karri, Kempas, Keruing, Lignumvitae, Limba, Machinmango, Mahogany, Macawood, Manni, Manbarklak, Marishballi, Shorea, Merbau, Mersawa, tropical Oak, Mora, Obeche, Okoume, Opepe, Pau Marfim, Peroba, Pilon, Piquia, Primavera, Ramin, Purpleheart, Roble, Rosewood, Sande, Santa Maria, Sepetir, Sapele, Seraya, Spanish Cedar, Sucupira, Teak, Wallaba and Tornillo.
Softwoods Imported to the U.S.
Much like the U.S. equivalent, imported softwoods are much less prevalent than hardwoods. In fact, while imported hardwoods originate in places ranging from Africa and Asia to Central and South America, softwood imports are limited to regions in Central and South America. Such species include Mexican Cypress, Parana, Caribbean, Radiata and Ocote Pines.
Rubberwood
Grown on plantations in Africa and Southeast Asia for the production of wood and rubber, rubberwood trees are native to Brazil. The sap of the rubberwood, which contains latex, is harvested for rubber production. At the age of 20 to 29, the trees are harvested for lumber. Rubberwood is particularly valuable as a lumber due to its high degree of sustainability and its dual uses.
Tags: United States, Central South, Central South America, flower ovary, grown United, grown United States, hardwood species