Red Birch is the heart wood of the Yellow Birch Tree and anyone who knows Sandy…knows this is one of her favorite wood types. Why? It offers great color in it’s natural tone and it doesn’t darken and deepen in color like Cherry Wood does. So, if the natural tone you get initially is what you like? You are all set!
Red Birch with Butcher Block Conditioner
Cherry Wood – from the fabulous Cherry Tree – a favorite for many, but not horses. Toxic to horses, who knew? Okay, back to the beautiful wood.
Small – Medium in Rustic Cherry.
Cherry heartwood is light brown when initially cut – but over time it will deepen in color – darken and become even more beautiful. The sap wood – however – will not change. The little cutting boards shown above have sap wood included on purpose for rustic character. Do you see it? Do you like it?
Furniture and cabinetry in cherry wood can be quite stunning – but the cabinetmaker needs to be able to select the wood properly. Who know’s what I’m talking about?
Hope Chest in Cherry Wood – Natural Finish
This hope chest – shown in cherry natural and when it was just completed – is soooo much darker now – wish I had an updated picture. We favor the natural wood grain, but some stain cherry (walnut too). It’s just a preference thing, don’t judge.
See the bead-board cabinet behind it? This is not cherry – any guesses?
We have yet to make a live edge piece in cherry, so we would like to feature one by a fellow woodworker – who happens to also be located in Windsor, VT. What do you think? Is this gorgeous or what? Paul is super talented, we’ve seen his work and are thrilled to find out he is so close. A meet-up is in order, hint, hint.
Cherry Table by Paul Wilson
Check out this coffee scoop in wild cherry – so unique and fun. Want one? Click on the picture to find out more…
Wild Cherry Scoop by Boot Hill Blades
What are your thoughts on cherry wood?
Hard Maple
Did you know that the maple wood species are classified as hard or soft? However, the softer maples are still considered a hardwood – did that make sense? The softer option can almost always be a substitute for the hard or rock maple. So why do they differentiate?
Janka Hardness of Maple
Small Maple Cheese Board
The maple we receive is typically leftovers from a cabinet shop – quite a mixed variety, which is fine for cutting boards – cheese boards – cribbage boards, serving trays, etc.
Cabinet makers and furniture makers will usually offer maple, it’s a great option, although be careful when staining. Applying a stain to any hardwood, even with the softer maples can create a blotchy result. Wood toner is a good idea – trust me – and ask for a sample.
Why isn’t Flame Maple in the above maple choices? Because the flame is grain character based on how the tree grows, not a wood species. Get it?
As a fan of wood grain in general, maple doesn’t excite – Unless it’s it’s TIGER or Curly!! This curly – tiger flooring by Hull Forest Products would work for me – totally. It’s so pretty with just enough character, in my opinion.
Although, if the above was my flooring choice (maple is a wonderful flooring choice – hard wood remember), I wouldn’t want curly maple furniture in the same room – what about you?
Maple is also great for creating contrast, as my husband, the artisan who can’t keep it simple knows and these designs have been very popular.
Maple (with sap wood) and Walnut End Grain Cutting Board
Mahogany or Sapele with Maple?