At Gutchess Lumber, we’re proud to have a team of dedicated employee-owners who have been with us for over 20 years. These seasoned hardwood lumber professionals are more than just employees; they’re part of our family.

Our commitment to providing the highest quality hardwood is deeply rooted in our history since our founding in 1904. By employing experienced sawmill professionals and utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we ensure that every board of hardwood we produce meets the highest standards.

Meet the Faces Behind the Finest Hardwood

Tune in to hear Noah Barber talk about our Spotlight Species of the Week 4/4 Wormy Ash. This product is commonly used in furniture, cabinets, and tables. What makes our sort different is that our grade is select and better over the wormholes.

Sugar Maple trees grow abundantly and are popular for what is on the inside- Maple Syrup and Hard Maple lumber! Hard Maple lumber has common uses in furniture, hardwood flooring, cabinets, sports equipment, kitchen accessories and more, allowing for this light-colored lumber to be featured in each aspect of your home. Hailing from the Sugar Maple tree, this incredible wood is a staple species that Gutchess Lumber manufactures.

Sugar Maple growth

The Sugar Maple (Acer Saccharum) tree grows throughout the Eastern United States, Canada, and the Great Lake states, specifically: through central Ontario, the southern third of Quebec, all of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania, the mid-Atlantic states, extending southwest to New Jersey and to the Appalachian Mountains, downward to the western edge of North Carolina and the Southern border of Tennessee. The western limit for Hard Maple lumber growth extends through Missouri and into small areas of Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota. There are a few outliers of Sugar Maple hardwood growth in Kansas, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Its ideal growing climate is cool and moist which is why it is restricted to these regions. That said, it can grow on sand, loamy sand, loams, and silt but it does best on well-drained loams. It does not grow well on dry, shallow soil and is very rarely found it swampland.

Early growth of Sugar Maple trees is slow as they often are regenerating under heavy canopies and shade, though of deciduous trees, they are among the most shade tolerant. The minimum seed-bearing age for Sugar Maples is roughly 30-years. Sugar Maples are a long-living tree, typically reaching 200-years to 300-years in age. The areas in which they reside, where they are hard freezes in the winter for proper dormancy, encourage this slow and long life.

Difference between Hard Maple and Red Maple grain

Differences between Hard Maple and Soft Maple

Hardwood species are classified by the seeds the tree produces. Each hardwood tree species has a coating that takes the shape of a fruit or a shell that becomes a flowering plant. These flowering seeds are known as angiosperm, which translates in Greek to “vessel seed.” Additionally, hardwood trees lose and regrow their leaves annually, making them deciduous.

They differ from softwood trees, as trees classified as softwoods seeds do not have any coating and are instead, dropped to the ground to deal with the elements. Examples of softwood tree seeds are needles and cones that are dubbed gymnosperm, meaning “naked seed.” Except for the Larch tree species, all softwood trees retain their needles year-round, making them evergreen trees.

That said, “Hard Maple” and “Soft Maple” do hold distinct meanings when referencing the tree species. The term “soft maple” is used to reference several different types of maple trees, including Red Maple, while “Hard Maple” specifically references the lumber that comes from the Sugar Maple tree and, on occasion, the Black Maple tree. Both Soft Maple and Hard Maple are harvested from dicot trees, making them both hardwoods. Soft Maple wood comes in many varieties and is 25% softer than Hard Maple wood.

Difference between Oak and Maple wood

Appearance and hardness are the biggest differences between Oak and Maple wood. Maple wood appears less “grainy”, has smaller pores compared to Oak wood, and is a white or cream colored hardwood. Oak wood has a distinct grain pattern and colors that range from a yellow-white to reddish brown, depending on the species. In terms of hardness, Hard Maple hardwood has a Janka hardness score of 1450, while Soft Maple has a hardness score of 950. Red Oak scores 1290 and White Oak scores 1360 on the Janka hardness scale. You must know which species you are comparing to determine the specific difference between Oak and Maple wood.

Hard Maple density

The Janka Hardness Scale is used to determine the relative hardness for domestic wood species, like Hard Maple hardwood. The test measures the amount of force that is required to embed a 11.28mm steel ball halfway into a piece of wood. While the Janka Hardness Scale is traditionally used to determine whether a wood species is suitable for flooring, it is a good measure of determining a wood species resistance to wear and its overall durability. Wood species with a higher number rating are harder than wood species with a lower rating. The data from the Janka Hardness Scale is expressed in pounds-force, or lbf.

On the Janka Hardness Scale, the Hard Maple hardwood species rating is the highest of all the Maple hardwood species. Hard Maple has a Janka Hardness Scale value of 1,450, while its soft maple relative, the Red Maple, has a rating of 950 lbf.  When compared with other hardwood species, Hard Maple wood falls in the middle of the Janka Hardness Scale. It is less durable that Red Oak wood and White Oak wood but marginally more durable than Cherry wood.

Different types of Maple wood

• Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): this maple hardwood species is one of two hard maple wood types. It is also the first choice for those seeking to make maple syrup. It grows to a height of 50 to 80 feet, is abundant throughout the Northeastern and Southern United States and Northeastern Canada, and is one of the species of maple that Gutchess Lumber manufactures.
• Black Maple (Acer nigrum): this maple hardwood is the second of two hard maple wood types. It is incredibly closely related to the standard Sugar Maple tree and as such, is commonly known as the Black Sugar Maple. This Maple hardwood species grows between 80-115 feet tall in the Northeastern and Southern United States and Northeastern Canada.
• Red Maple (Acer rubrum): dubbed for its red leaves in the autumn, the Red Maple tree also is known as the Scarlet Maple, the Soft Maple, the Drummond Red Maple, the Carolina Red Maple, the Swamp Maple, the Trident Red Maple and the Water maple. It is a soft maple hardwood tree that grows from 30 to 100 feet in its native area of the Eastern United States and Canada.
• Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): like the Red Maple, the Silver Maple gets its name from the leaf color, with the underside of its leaves reflecting a silver flash in the wind. It goes by various names regionally, including the Soft Maple, the Creek Maple, the River Maple, the White Maple and the Water Maple. Growing from 50 ft to 100 ft in its native region of the Eastern United States and Canada, this Maple tree type is over of the most abundant.

Birdseye Maple vs Spalted Maple

Maple wood species are commonly referred to by other names. While these names, like Birdseye Maple and Spalted Maple are popular, they are indicative of character traits of the lumber and are not, in fact, a Maple species.

Birdseye Maple, sometimes written as bird’s eye maple, was given its name due to the tiny knots in the grain that resemble a small birds eye. Birdseye Maple is in actuality Hard Maple lumber. The figuring of the lumber is caused by an unfavorable growing condition for the tree and as the tree makes repeated attempts to start numerous new buds to increase the amount of sunlight it is receiving, with the poor growing conditions the new shoots are abandoned and a number of tiny knots remain. The “defect” created by these growing conditions make for a incredible Birdseye Maple boards.

Like Birdseye Maple, Spalted Maple refers to a defect created by growing conditions and not a wood species itself. Spalting is a fungal discoloration of wood, not exclusive to the Hard Maple wood species. Spalted Maple can be found in wood that has begun its initial stages of decay and then subsequently dired to prevent further decay. Spalted Maple, otherwise known as Black Line Maple, is referred to as the latter because of the dark, contrasting lines and streaks created by fungus in decaying wood.

Birdseye Maple and Spalted Maple are similar in the way that they are both common defects produced in the Maple hardwood species. They have become so common that they fall in line with the actual tree species that fall in the wood type. While they share similarities in being defects, the Birdseye defect is most notable in Hard Maple wood, while Spalting can be commonly found in Sycamore Trees, Beech trees, Birch trees, Hickory trees and others.

Cherry wood is one of the most prized hardwood species. Hailing from North America, Cherry wood has its roots in all aspects of life; from fine furniture to custom cabinetry, to flooring, to musical instruments, to small scale woodworking, wood carving and wood turning projects. Well-loved and sought after by interior design professionals, furniture manufacturers, cabinet makers, and others, this hardwood species has earned its recognition thanks to its workability, beautiful grain, and magnificent color. Cherry has become a staple for several Gutchess customers, and we understand why.

Cherry tree lore

Not only has the Cherry tree made roots in various areas of woodworking and interior design, but it has had a presence in story telling for centuries! By far, the most well-known myth of the Cherry tree in the United States comes from our first president, George Washington.

While Washington’s Cherry tree legend has gone through different iterations over the years, the long-standing narrative is that young Washington received a hatchet and cut down a Cherry tree that he was not meant to. When confronted, Washington was honest about the damage he had caused. George Washington’s candor in admitting his mistakes solidified his reputation as a virtuous and honest leader. While the legend has been debunked and rebuked, the myth has endured for more than 200-years and is an integral part of America’s cultural heritage. The presence of the Cherry tree in that myth speaks to the importance of the Cherry trees enduring presence in all aspects of North America.

Cherry wood growth

The Black Cherry tree (Prunus serotina) is native to North America and some areas of South America. Specifically, it grows from southeastern Canada, through the eastern United States, west towards eastern Texas, with smaller populations within central Texas, the southwestern United States, Mexico and Guatemala. The main commercial areas of Cherry tree growth in the United States include Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York.

The growing conditions in which the Cherry tree thrives include moist but well drained soil and full sun to partial shade. The Black Cherry tree has general climate resilience with the ability to bare the incredible cold. Though considered a medium sized tree, the Black Cherry tree can grow between 25 feet and 110 feet, though the more common height range is between 50 feet and 60 feet.

In part due to its malleability through various growing conditions, as well as the wide distribution of the seeds of its fruit by birds, the Black Cherry tree has always been in abundance in North America.

Are Cherry trees hardwood trees?

Hardwood species are classified by the seeds the tree produces. Each hardwood tree species has a coating that takes the shape of a fruit or a shell that becomes a flowering plant. These flowering seeds are known as angiosperm, which translates in Greek to “vessel seed.” Additionally, hardwood trees lose and regrow their leaves annually, making them deciduous trees.

They differ from softwood trees, as trees classified as softwood’s seeds do not have a coating and are instead dropped to the ground to deal with the elements. Examples of softwood tree seeds are needles and cones that are dubbed gymnosperm, meaning “naked seed.” Except for the Larch tree species, all softwood trees retain their needles year-round, making them evergreen trees.

Cherry trees fruit contains a pit, or seed, that is transplanted into the soil and grows the tree. These kinds of seeds are those known as angiosperm and make Cherry trees deciduous, hardwood trees.

Cherry density

The Janka Hardness Scale is used to determine the relative hardness for domestic wood species, like Cherry wood. The test measures the amount of force that s required to embed a 11.28mm steel ball halfway into a piece of wood. While the Janka Hardness Scale is traditionally used to determine whether a wood species is suitable for flooring, it is a good measure of determining a wood species resistance to wear and its overall durability. Wood species with a higher number rating are harder than wood species with a lower rating. The data from the Janka Hardness Scale is expressed in pounds-force, or lbf.

On the Janka Hardness Scale, the ranking for standard Cherry hardwood is 950 lbf. While there are various types of Cherry wood, they all generally rank around 950 lbf, unlike Walnut wood, with its different wood types by region having significantly different hardness levels. Thanks to its medium density, Cherry wood has good bending properties, low stiffness, and medium shock resistance, allowing it to withstand wear and dents well.

Cherry wood grain

The grain of Cherry wood lends to its workability. Cherry wood features a fine, straight grain with the exception of figured pieces with curly grain patterns or when defects from pith, mineral deposits, gum pockets and knots arise. Cherry hardwood endgrain features small to medium pores with random arrangement. Growth rings are generally distinct.

Different kinds of Cherry wood

It is important to distinguish between the Cherry wood types, as in reality, they hail from distinctly different trees in distinctly different regions. Commonly known Cherry wood types include:

• Black Cherry (Prunus serotina): Black Cherry wood is mainly manufactured in Eastern North America and the Cherry wood that you will find here at Gutchess Lumber. Commonly known names for Black Cherry wood include American Cherry, Rum Cherry, and Wild Cherry. When settlers first came to the United States, colonial furniture builders referred to it as “New England Mahogany” due to its tendency to change color after sunlight exposure. Black Cherry wood has heartwood of a light pinkish brown color that darkens to a medium reddish brown when exposed to lights. The sapwood of the Black Cherry tree is a pale, yellow color.
• Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium): otherwise known as European Cherry wood, this species is mainly found in Europe and Asia. Its stature is smaller in comparison to that of the Black Cherry tree with heights that reach between 32 feet and 65 feet tall. The heartwood and sapwood of the Sweet Cherry tree is consistent in color with that of the Black Cherry tree.
• Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata): native to China, Korea and Japan, this flowering tree is likely the first that comes to mind when Cherry trees are mentioned outside the context of woodworking. Alternative names for the Japanese Flowering Cherry tree include the Oriental Cherry, Hill Cherry, East Asian Cherry and Japanese Cherry. The sapwood of this tree is pale pinkish brown to creamy with the heartwood being brown with gold and green hues.
• Paperback Cherry (Prunus serrula): the Paperback Cherry tree, otherwise known as the Birchback Cherry or Tibetian Cherry hails from Western China. It grows from 20 feet to 30 feet tall, skewing it to be one of the smaller Cherry trees. The Paperback Cherry tree is an ornamental tree, thanks to its distinct bark that is peels in layers to reveal smooth, mahogany colors.
• Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus): this Cherry tree is almost exclusively grown for the fruit it produces which is why it has obtained the alternative names of Pie Cherry and Tart Cherry. Native to Europe and southwest Asia, these types of Cherry trees can reach up to 50 feet tall but are consistently pruned and kept between 12 feet and 15 feet tall.

There are many other “Cherry” types that fall outside the Prunus genus that the Black Cherry tree falls into. These types trees, while not technically within the same species, are categorized as Cherry thanks to their similar properties. They include:

• Brazilian Cherry (Hymenaea courbaril): despite its little relation to the Black Cherry tree, the Brazilian Cherry tree, otherwise known as Jatoba, has its name thanks to its color resemblance. Located in the West Indies, northern South America and Central America, these trees can grow between 100 feet and 130 feet tall.
• Patagonian Cherry (Guibourtia hymenaeifolia): otherwise referred to as Tiete Rosewood, this tree actually hails from the rose family. Native to South America, this tree can grow between 130 feet and 165 feet tall. The Patagonian Cherry trees wood is dense and hard to work with but its color greatly resembles that of the Black Cherry tree with its pinkinsh brown to light orange color.
• Barbados Cherry (Malpighia galbra): known by several names, including Wild Crapemyrtle, Acerola, Manzanita and more, this tree can be found from south Texas, through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The Barbados Cherry obtained its Cherry association through the fruit that is produced, though the resemblance to the Black Cherry tree ends there as this species is a shrub, growing to 3 feet to 6 feet in height.
• Chilean Cherry (Nothofagus dombeyi): this “Cherry” tree is part of the Beech tree family, though it closely resembles the Black Cherry tree to the point where they can easily be mistaken for one another. The Chilean Cherry tree is otherwise referred to as Coigue and is native to Chile and Argentina.

What are the different uses of Cherry wood?

Yellow Birch is a great choice when you’re looking for the perfect hardwood for your next project. It is known for its versatility, durability, and natural beauty, which makes it a popular choice for woodworkers and builders who build long-lasting products. Let’s explore its characteristics and why Yellow Birch is a great option for high-quality hardwood projects.

Is Yellow Birch a Good Hardwood?

Yellow Birch hardwood has a Janka hardness rating of 1,260 lbf. It can withstand daily wear and tear, which makes it top material to use for products that will last a lifetime. Yellow Birch machines quickly and works well when carried for. It dries slowly with little degradation, but it has a moderately high shrinkage, so there is a chance it could move in performance. Also, Yellow Birch hardwood takes stains and polishes very well. Here’s a comparison of oiled versus not oiled Yellow Birch lumber.

Not Oiled:

Oiled:

What are the Characteristics of a Yellow Birch Tree?

The wood of yellow birch has a distinct difference between the sap, which is white, and the heartwood, which tends to be a light reddish-brown, with nearly white sapwood. There is no color distinction between annual growth rings, but it gives a uniform appearance. The grain is generally straight or slightly wavy, with a fine, even texture.

What is Yellow Birch Wood used for?

Yellow Birch is heavy, hard, strong, versatile, and highly valued in woodworking. Its smooth texture and durability make it ideal material for a lot of products like:

• Furniture: Yellow Birch adds an elegant touch and produces high-quality, long-lasting pieces.

• Cabinetry: A popular option that gives any cabinet beauty and functionality. The natural look of Yellow Birch pairs great with simple finishes and acts neutral pairing for you to add color through your backsplash or countertops.

• Flooring: Yellow Birch hardwood flooring is durable and resistant to scratches, perfect for high-traffic areas like household and corporate buildings. It’s one the most popular choices for homeowners installing new hardwood floors.

• Millwork: Used for detailed and decorative woodwork like small decor or crown moldings.

According to USDA NRCS, the sap of yellow birch can be tapped for use as edible syrup. Tea is sometimes made from the twigs and/or inner bark. Researchers at Cornell University conducted a sap study on Birch syrup and its sample tasted like a mix of fruity-tart and complex caramelized sugar flavors reminiscent of raspberries, tart-cherry juice, apple-butter and molasses.

At Gutchess Lumber, we offer premium-quality, sustainable Yellow Birch hardwood sourced within a 100-mile radius (62 km) of our manufacturing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania. We are committed to providing the best-of-the-best hardwood to bring your products to life.

Hardwood trees play a significant role in the American landscape, forestry, environment, and the economy. These trees are used as materials for a wide variety of products, from the furniture we put into our homes and buildings to the floors we walk on. They also help minimize America’s carbon footprint when they are used to make hardwood products.

Hundreds of hardwood trees grow in different regions in the United States, each with unique characteristics and uses. Some of North America’s most common hardwood tree species are oaks, maple, hickory, birch, beech, ash, poplar, and cherry.

What Types of Trees are Hardwood Trees?

Most hardwood trees are deciduous and shed their leaves annually. Hardwoods have broad leaves from coniferous trees%20with%20true%20cones) with needles and cones. These trees grow slowly and have tighter grain and higher density, making them ideal for applications requiring strength and durability.

Characteristics of Hardwood Trees

1. Density and Hardness:

• Density: Hardwoods are heavy and strong because their fibers are closely packed.
• Hardness: Hardwood trees are measured by the Janka Hardness Test, which tests their durability and strength.

2. Grain Patterns:

• Hardwood trees have distinct grain patterns that range from straight to wavy. This variety contributes to the aesthetic appeal of hardwood products in furniture, flooring, and decor.

3. Durability and Strength:

• The high density and hardness of hardwood trees are a testament to their long-lasting performance, making them suitable for high-use products.

The Five Most Common Hardwood Trees in the US

North America’s forests grow hundreds of varieties of hardwood in various temperate climates, including the top five most common species: oak, ash, cherry, maple, and poplar.

1. Oak (Red and White Oak)

Red oak and white oak hardwood trees are the most common hardwood trees in the US. Red oak trees grow fast and have bigger pores, giving the hardwood an open grain and a red tone. White oak trees grow slower and have a finer grain, giving a smoother finish and texture. These trees live a long time, sometimes up to hundreds of years.

Uses: Oak wood is known for its versatility and is used as a top material to make:

• Furniture: The strength and beauty of red or white oak make it a popular choice for durable and long-lasting furniture.
• Flooring: Oak’s hardness and resistance to wear and tear make it ideal for high-traffic areas.
• Cabinetry: The distinctive grain characteristics and durability make it a top material for cabinets and kitchens.
• Barrels: Oak is also used in wine and whiskey barrels and can add flavor and texture.

 

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Special Characteristics:

• Red Oak: Our Red Oak at Gutchess Lumber comes from preferred areas of prime timberland within about a 100-mile radius (62 km) of our manufacturing facilities in New York and Pennsylvania. Red Oak is strong, durable, easy to work with, and consistent in color and texture.
• White Oak: Gutchess Lumber White Oak has a light brown heartwood and slightly paler sapwood. It is strong, tough, dense, tight-grained, durable, and beautiful. Our White Oak hardwood is harvested from prime timberland in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Kiln-dried White Oak is rated as one of the best hardwoods for machining and steam bending.

2. Ash

White Ash grows to 80 feet with a crown that spreads over 50 feet wide. Its lumber turns well and retains such strength that it has been the hardwood choice for many high-end, long-lasting products.

Uses:

• Furniture: Ash is used to make furniture, tool handles, guitar bodies, and lobster traps.
• Flooring: Ash’s wear-and-tear resilience, bright white sapwood, light tan heartwood, and uniform appearance make it a popular choice for flooring in households and buildings.
• Cabinetry: Ash is used for high-quality cabinetry.
• Sports Equipment: It has been the hardwood of choice for making equipment like baseball bats and longbows.

Special Characteristics:

• Smooth Grain: White Ash hardwood features a smooth, consistent grain that takes stain and finishes well.
• Light Color: The wood is typically light in color, ranging from pale yellow to light brown, which makes it versatile to fit different interior designs.

3. Cherry

Black Cherry can grow between 25 feet and 110 feet in height, but the more common height range is between 50 feet and 60 feet. Black Cherry hardwood is malleable, and the wide distribution of the seeds of its fruit by birds makes it abundant in North America.

Uses: Black Cherry wood is used and known for its elegance and versatility in high-quality applications like:

• Furniture: Its rich color and smooth grain make it a great choice for crafting high-end furniture.
• Cabinetry: Black cherry hardwood’s durability and aesthetic are popular for custom cabinetry.

Special Characteristics:

Black Cherry wood features a fine, straight grain with small to medium pores arranged randomly. Its wood growth rings are distinct, and the wood ranges in color from light pink-brown to medium reddish-brown.

 

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4. Maple (Soft and Hard Maple)

Hard and Soft Maple hardwood trees are known for their broad leaves and vibrant fall colors. Soft Maple grows between 30 feet to 100 feet in height in its native area of the Eastern United States and Canada. Hard Maple hardwood species grow from 50 to 80 feet and are abundant throughout the Northeastern United States and Northeastern Canada.

Uses:

• Soft Maple: Used for less formal furniture, cabinetry, and millwork due to its workability and lower cost.
• Hard Maple: Used for high-end furniture, flooring, and musical instruments because of its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It is also used for gym and basketball courts, bowling alleys, bowling pins, rolling pins, and other turnings, skateboard decks, baseball bats, billiard cues, cutting blocks, and a variety of musical instruments.

Special Characteristics:

• Soft Maple: Soft Maple has a similar appearance to Hard Maple. Its close-grained sapwood is creamy white, and its heartwood is reddish-brown. The grain of soft Maple Hardwood is often dotted with flecks. Figured grain is less common but highly prized for certain product applications. Gutchess’ Soft Maple lumber is 100% soft-leaf maple.
• Hard Maple: Hard Maple wood features a fine, even-textured grain that can be straight or wavy. Its color ranges from white to cream to reddish or golden-hued.

 

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5. Poplar

Poplar lumber grows between 130 feet and 160 feet tall and has a trunk diameter of 6 feet to 8 feet. It is very low-density and softer, with a Janka Hardness rating of 540 lbf.

Uses:

• Furniture: Poplar wood is used to make inexpensive furniture and cabinetry.
• Plywood: Its lightweight and workability make it a common choice for plywood.
• Millwork: Poplar is used for moldings, trims, and other decorative millwork because of its smooth surface.

Special Characteristics:

Poplar is a light, soft hardwood with a white or light green sapwood cast. Its wood color features a light cream-to-yellow-brown heartwood and pale yellow-to-white sapwood, along with a straight, uniform grain. It is generally free of dark mineral streaks found in southern species.

Gutchess Lumber Poplar lumber is harvested from prime timberland in the northern Appalachian region of Pennsylvania. Poplar hardwood machines easily and takes paints and stains well.

At Gutchess Lumber, we recognize the five most common hardwood trees in the United States: oak, ash, cherry, maple, and poplar. Whether you’re building furniture, flooring, decor, or any hardwood product, these hardwoods offer the strength, durability, and beauty you need to create long-lasting, timeless products.

We offer 11 species of northern hardwoods, where each hardwood species is native to the northeast United States. We oversee tens of thousands of acres of prime timberland and seven facilities across New York and Pennsylvania to produce Gutchess Lumber. Our products come from the best hardwood forests and timberlands in the northeast, several of which we have owned and managed for generations.

Hardwood plays a bigger role in sports than one would think. It is a versatile material commonly used for sporting equipment and playing surfaces because it’s strong, durable, easy to repair, and can last a long time. Let’s explore which sports use hardwood in their daily practices for playing or training.

What’s the Best Wood for Sports Equipment?

Maple and Ash hardwood are top choices of natural materials for making many types of sporting equipment. These hardwoods are flexible, durable, and have been used to make sports equipment for hundreds of years. Maple has a dense grain structure, providing strength and durability. Ash is lighter, flexible hardwood that balances strength and ease of use.

What Sports Use Wooden Equipment?

Many sports, such as baseball, cricket, hockey, table tennis, golf, field hockey, bowling, billiards, and lacrosse, use wooden equipment in their training and daily practices.

On Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run, he broke an MLB record. One of the most exciting aspects of this feat was the bat he swung. Learn about the hardwoods to make a bat that set several MLB records: https://www.gutchess.com/a-history-of-the-hardwood-bat…/

Is Real Wood still Used in Sporting Equipment Today?

Wood has traditionally been used to make sports equipment and playing surfaces. While some sports have altered their equipment to synthetic materials, wood remains well-established or even the material of choice in many others. In the 2024 Summer Olympics, wooden equipment can still be seen in daily sports practices and training like rowing, canoe slalom, canoe sprint, hockey, handball, archery, sailing, and table tennis. These sports still rely on the unique properties of wood to enhance performance and maintain traditional aesthetics.

What Wood is Used for Athletic Flooring?

Maple is almost always used in gyms and sports floors, like basketball courts. According to the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA), maple is so popular in the sports flooring industry that MFMA defines the standards for sports floor installation and maintenance. Maple has a Janka hardness rating of around 1450, and it is highly shock-resistant, attractive, and available.

What Sports are Played on Hardwood Floors?

Hardwood has been the traditional flooring material for basketball, volleyball, indoor field hockey, gymnastics, squash and futsal. The smooth surface of hardwood floors ensures consistent ball bounce and player movement, important for competitive games.

The Accor Arena will host the basketball, artistic gymnastics and trampoline events during the Olympics and the wheelchair basketball during the Paralympics during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Key Performance Features of Hardwood Sports Floors

Hardwood sports floors absorb shock and provide durability and traction. These features reduce the risk of injury for athletes and improve their performance by providing a stable, durable surface. The natural beauty of hardwood also adds to the aesthetic appeal of sports facilities and arenas, making it a popular choice for professional and recreational athletic spaces.

Where does the Wood Come from that is used in Sports?

The hardwood used for sports equipment and flooring comes from hardwood forests, like the forests we responsibly manage at Gutchess Lumber. Our commitment to supplying premium hardwood means that athletes can rely on our materials in their equipment and arenas to enhance and support their performance, training, and careers.

As the 2024 Summer Olympics kick off, look out for hardwood products in equipment and sport flooring during each event. You will be surprised by how much hardwood you will find. Gutchess Lumber supports the sports industry by providing premium hardwood for equipment and flooring.

When building your home, you can choose from thousands of flooring options, and it can get overwhelming. The factors to consider are aesthetics, durability, health, environmental impact, and future resale value. Carpet and rugs are popular and can be responsibly purchased and installed, but they are not the most eco-friendly flooring options. It is important to choose a sustainable flooring material that will last a lifetime, offer the highest resale value, and provide health benefits for your family.

There are sustainable flooring options, like hardwood, that you can choose to make an eco-conscious choice when building your home!

What are the Types of Flooring?

When choosing flooring, it’s important to consider each material’s environmental impact. Many popular flooring alternatives are not environmentally friendly.

• Carpet: Are typically made from synthetic fibers and can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are difficult to recycle. Dirt, allergens, and dust get trapped in carpets, and it’s very hard to get a good deep clean.
• Vinyl: Produces significant environmental pollutants during its manufacturing and is not biodegradable. Also, vinyl off-gases contain phthalate chemicals that can migrate into your home’s dust and produce toxic chemicals when burned
• Laminate: is the most wood-like in its appearance, but it can contain plastics and other non-renewable resources that contribute to landfill waste. It’s not moisture-proof, hard to repair, or noise-proof.

What Flooring Material has the Highest Resale Value?

Hardwood is one specific flooring material that has consistently increased resale value over the decades. According to USA TODAY, hardwood flooring professionals believe that using hardwood flooring in your home can increase its resale value by 2+ times. Homebuyers are willing to pay a premium for hardwood because it is durable, looks timeless, can be refinished multiple times, is easy to clean, and is a sustainable choice that will last a lifetime.

What Flooring Materials are the Best for Kids?

For families with children, the type of flooring used in your home is important for health benefits. Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time on the floor, crawling and playing, coming inside and outside, and they often put their hands and toys in their mouths.

Hardwood flooring is the preferred choice for families with little children due to its:

• Cleanliness: Hardwood is very easy to clean and considered hypoallergenic.
• Sustainability: Hardwood is durable, lasts a lifetime, and has a smaller ecological footprint than other alternative flooring options. When hardwood is manufactured, the only chemical used is a binding resin with strict OSHA and EPA regulations. These regulations ensure hardwood floors emit fewer chemical toxins into the air.
• Health: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirms that homes with hardwood floors have better indoor air quality than homes with other types of alternative flooring.

Real American Hardwood stated that real hard hardwood floors, cabinets, and furniture directly affect your mood, stress levels, and overall mental health.

Indoor environments have a direct affect on your mood, stress levels, and overall health. Research shows that nature and wood products can provide a mental boost. That’s why many homeowners bring nature indoors with #RealAmericanHardwood cabinets, millwork, furniture, and floors. pic.twitter.com/Pr3Jn8NB9I

— Real American Hardwood (@RealAmericanHwd) June 28, 2024

What are Sustainable Flooring Materials?

There are sustainable, eco-friendly flooring options that can reduce indoor pollution and prevent potential health issues.

Solid Hardwood Floors:

FSC-certified hardwood is the most sustainable flooring option for your home. Many hardwood types come from FSC-certified forests. These forests are responsibly managed, where trees naturally regenerate, biodiversity is conserved, and air and water quality are preserved. Hardwood floors are durable, eco-friendly, and last a lifetime.

What is the most Eco-Friendly Flooring?

Hardwood is the most environmentally friendly flooring choice. By choosing Gutchess Lumber’s hardwood for your home, you can ensure lumber comes from sustainably managed forests. We have 11 hardwood species to choose from, and they are native to the northeast United States. We can control the process from harvest to order fulfillment while keeping our operations sustainable by only harvesting within 150 miles of our seven New York and Pennsylvania locations.

By using hardwood flooring, you can help to mitigate climate change. Scientists at Yale forecasted unhealthy forest composition changes caused by insects and diseases over the next 100 years, which active forest management can help to reduce.

What makes Flooring Sustainable?

Important factors to think about that make flooring sustainable when you are choosing your flooring for your home are:

• Material Type: Use renewable or recycled materials, like hardwood, to benefit the environment.
• Manufacturing Process: Do your research and make sure the manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and reduces emissions and waste.
• Longevity of the Material: Materials like hardwood and tile are durable and sustainable and do not require frequent replacement or repair.

If you’re asking yourself, ‘Which flooring material should I choose for my home?’ if you are a homeowner, you should consider hardwood, an eco-friendly and sustainable option. By choosing hardwood, you are taking a step towards a greener future. Hardwood is the most sustainable option, and it can provide a beautiful, long-lasting floor while contributing positively to the environment and your family’s health.

Our team of foresters uses a process called selective harvesting to promote natural forest regeneration, which ultimately has a positive impact on climate change. As trees mature, they slowly absorb less carbon dioxide. Selective harvesting removes mature trees that have reached their peak carbon storage capacity. We use this process to strategically remove mature trees, creating space and resources for younger trees to grow and be able to continue to absorb carbon dioxide at a faster rate.

Carbon Absorption:

As trees mature, they soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their wood. When trees soak up carbon dioxide, they help balance the carbon levels in the atmosphere and mitigate climate change. Using selective harvesting to remove mature trees, the younger trees can continue to absorb carbon dioxide and store it as they grow, generating a healthy forest.

Promoting Growth:

Selectively harvesting mature trees allows sunlight to get to the forest floor, allowing more trees to grow. This process helps promote the growth of the next generation of trees that are ready to absorb carbon at a quicker rate than mature trees. When we responsibly harvest hardwood trees, natural regeneration occurs.

Carbon Lock-In:

Mature trees release stored carbon over time, but when harvested, their carbon remains locked in the hardwood products we produce instead of being released back into the atmosphere. This results in the carbon staying sequestered for long periods of time, helping mitigate climate change by taking the carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it.

Manufacturing with Carbon:

Hardwood products store carbon dioxide the tree captured throughout its life. This carbon remains locked away for decades within the furniture, flooring, and other beautiful creations crafted from our sustainable and natural building materials.

At Gutchess, we understand the benefits of selectively harvesting mature trees and utilize this process daily to create long-lasting hardwood products, that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change.

In a world where aesthetics are the most important element of a space, people often find themselves drawn to hardwood products despite their price tags.

The process of manufacturing hardwood is labor-intensive, especially if it is done the right way.

Let’s dive into hardwood products and why they are worth every dollar.

Factors that Affect the Price of Hardwood

Hardwood products are more expensive than alternatives for several reasons.

Wood Species

Hardwood species have different characteristics, availability, demand, and quality. For example, if a hardwood species is seen in a celebrity house and is aesthetically pleasing, it can cause a cultural trend, which impacts demand, availability, and price.

Grade and Quality

All industries have regulations and standards that are in place to set the bar for specifications and procedures for materials, products, methods, and services that we rely on every day, which are consistent and reliable. The National Hardwood Lumber Association created hardwood regulations to ensure hardwood lumber is uniform during production.

Each board of hardwood manufactured at Gutchess Lumber is inspected a minimum of four times by trained graders following NHLA grading guidelines, ensuring that we are producing the highest-quality hardwood possible.

Market Demand and Supply

Fluctuations in hardwood demand can influence prices. Shortages or surpluses of hardwood species can also affect market prices and availability. When the need for wood materials and products exceeds the supply, the cost will rise. A delicate balance between supply and demand directly influences hardwood prices.

Demand is heavily influenced by construction activity.

Transportation and Import Costs

Transporting hardwoods to other markets involves various expenses, such as shipping, handling, and import duties. Some hardwood species are only found in specific regions around the world, which will also increase the price of the final product.

Gutchess Lumber has exported its real American hardwood products worldwide for 100 years, and we know every aspect of shipping.

Labor Costs

Skilled laborers are required to manage forests, harvest timber, transport logs, and manufacture, dry, and ship hardwood products. Hardwood is a natural material, so it is more difficult to process. The labor and skills needed to process hardwood and the need for heavy machinery contribute to its high costs.

At Gutchess, our products come from well-managed forests and timberlands in the northeast, several of which we have owned and managed ourselves for generations. We employ a team of over 40 foresters who have a combined experience of 250 years. Costs come with experience, and the team needed to ensure our hardwood is responsible and sustainable. A cost we believe is one hundred percent worth it. We hope you do, too.

Our process starts with the boards being sawn in our modern band mills, dried in our state-of-the-art kilns, and inspected by highly skilled and well-trained lumber inspectors at least four times, green and dry, to ensure accurate grade and tally, consistent quality, and maximum yield. This process requires skilled workers with extensive knowledge of hardwood and sawmills.

Seasonality and Weather Conditions

Weather and environmental conditions can impact tree growth and harvesting, which directly influences the availability and price of hardwood. Unpredictable natural events, such as wildfires, droughts, and pest infestations, can damage forests and result in a scarce supply that increases prices.

FUN FACT: The emerald ash borer (EAB) is slowly causing the Ash hardwood species to die out. This invasive beetle has killed nearly 100% of ash trees infested with EAB. Specialists predict that the EAB will cause the Ash hardwood species to become extinct. The Ash species is commonly used for baseball bats, flooring, furniture, lumber, and pallet manufacture.

A region’s climate directly relates to the health and productivity of its hardwood production. Regions with stable conditions and temperatures, a healthy amount of precipitation, and lots of sunlight are more suitable for tree growth, which is why the Northeastern region of the United States is the ideal region for souring hardwood that goes into making products. When predictable climates occur, the manufacturing process of hardwood can become more efficient.

Since 1904, Gutchess Lumber Co., Inc. has produced the finest quality northern hardwood lumber through our vertically integrated manufacturing facilities across New York and Pennsylvania. Each of our hardwood species is native to the northeast United States. This means we can control the process from harvest to order fulfillment while keeping our operations sustainable by only harvesting within 150 miles of each of our 7 locations.

The Most Common Hardwood

The most common hardwood varies by region, but globally Oak is most common hardwood. The American Hardwood Information Center found that 52% of American Hardwoods are oak, growing mostly in New England to Mississippi. American hardwoods typically grow in the Eastern part of the country due to soil types and nutrients, moisture, earth, and sunlight. American hardwood forests are responsible for providing hardwood for products like cabinets, flooring, millwork, and furniture. Red and White Oak are commonly used for these products and are the most abundant in the United States.

At Gutchess Lumber, we specialize in sourcing Northern Red Oak from forests within a 100-mile radius of our New York and Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities. Unlike southern Red Oak, which commonly has discoloration and other issues, our true Northern Red Oak offers a consistent color profile and grain that rivals White Oak.

 

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How to Find Your Perfect Hardwood

Using hardwood offers beauty, durability, and value.

Research: Research different types of hardwoods and their characteristics. Understand the pros and cons of each type, what they are used for typically, and their sustainability and durability.

Visit Suppliers: Visit local sawmills, woodworking stores, or specialty suppliers to see and feel the hardwood in person. Each hardwood species has its own unique feel and look, so you will get a sense of its appearance and quality.

Consult Experts: Talk to woodworkers, carpenters, architects, or hardwood sales representatives in your area who can offer advice based on their experience and knowledge. They will also know what wood is most affordable in your region and which will work best for the product you want to create or buy.

Testing the Product: If it is available, try to purchase a small sample of the hardwood you are looking at and test for workability, finishing, and appearance for your specific needs.

Evaluate Options: Compare the hardwoods based on your research and tests, budget, and consider all the factors like durability, aesthetics, and sustainability before creating your product.

The type of hardwood will depend on what product you are creating. William Walker, a woodworker, made recommendations on what woods are best based on products and projects.

The Value of Hardwood and Why it’s Worth It

Hardwood is a valuable material that is durable, timeless, adaptable, and sustainable, making it a top choice for products and projects of all kinds. It continues to prove to be a great investment based on its lifespan, maintenance over time, and the ability to refinish and repair it. It comes in a variety of colors and finishes, bringing any project or product to life. If you choose hardwood, you invest in a material that offers value and sustainability, making it worth the cost.

For high-quality hardwood, Gutchess is committed to providing the best of the best hardwood species. Use our interactive map to locate your region’s dedicated sales representative today.