Know Your Wood Types (Part 2)

Oak, cherry, hickory and pine are popular wood species used in furniture production.

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Popular Wood Species Used in Furniture

Discover the popular types of wood for furniture, how to identify them and their unique characteristics.


Most oak lumber comes from the eastern and central United States. The color ranges from light brown to pinkish-red with a swirling or striped grain. The current Oval Office desk is made of oak and was given to President Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880.


Cherry is found in the eastern United States. Its distinctive color starts as a pinkish-brown and darkens to a deep red with a straight grain and some rippling. Contrary to popular belief, Gearge Washington never confessed to cutting down a cherry tree.


Hickory grows in the eastern half of the United States, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region. its color ranges from white to reddish-brown with a straight, coarse grain. Babe Ruth is said to have used a 54-ounce hickory bat early in his baseball career.


Pine is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Its color ranges from white to light brown with yellow or red tones, and it's known for its beautiful knots. The oldest living pine tree in the world is a bristlecone pine that's 5,065 years old.

Check out our Know Your Wood Types blog post to learn more!