Top 10 Kinds of Wood Sawyers Like to Mill

Most sawyers have preferences when it comes to the kinds of wood they like to mill. Some wood just saws better than others. There are also many species of wood that smell really nice. Another reason sawyers prefer to mill certain kinds of wood is that it sells well. A sawyer’s location also affects what kinds of wood they like to mill, due to the simple fact they might not have access to certain species if it doesn’t grow in their area. While there is no magic formula that says there is one type of wood that is the best to mill, there are many that top the list.

Here are the top 10 kinds of wood that sawyers really like working with when milling.

1. CEDAR

Cedar is a coniferous tree that grows throughout several parts of the country, especially the northern and eastern parts. Western Red Cedar also grows in parts of Alaska and California. This softwood has a nice smell, naturally repels insects, and is weather-resistant. Other benefits of cedar wood is that it doesn’t shrink, warp, or decay, even when there are sudden weather changes. Since it’s a porous wood, it has the ability to absorb noise. Cedar is a popular type of wood for things like decks, closet linings, fencing, siding, and trim.

2. BLACK WALNUT

Black walnut is a deciduous tree that grows throughout the central and eastern parts of the country. This hardwood has a Janka rating of 1010, which means it’s softer than most hardwoods, but still quite durable. Black walnut is resistant to decay but it’s mostly prized for its straight, dark, fine-grained heartwood. Since Black Walnut is rarer than other kinds of wood, it usually sells for more. Black walnut is often used for furniture, gunstocks, cabinetry, and interior paneling.

3. OAK

There are many different kinds of Oak trees. The two kinds of Oak that sawyers commonly work with include White Oak and Red Oak. Many sawyers prefer working with Red Oak over White Oak. In the United States, Red Oak grows from Minnesota down to Oklahoma. It also grows in some of the southern states, such as Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Red Oak contains open pores, which makes it stain well. As the most popular kind of hardwood in the United States, Red Oak is used mainly for flooring, furniture, veneer, and interior trim.

4. PINE

Pine trees are conifers that belong to the genus Pinus. There are many different kinds of pine trees but three in particular that sawyers like to mill include White Pine, Red Pine, and Ponderosa Pine. All three kinds of pine are native to North America. Ponderosa Pine is the most widely distributed Pine species on the continent. Although a softwood, Pine is very stiff and has a higher compressive strength and density than other softwoods. Pine also smells nice and makes a great wood for furniture, window frames, and paneling.

5. POPLAR

Poplar is a large deciduous tree that belongs to the genus Populus, which also includes cottonwoods and aspens. Poplars grow all throughout the country but are especially prolific in the southern states as they thrive in warm weather and moist soil. This hardwood has a rating of 540 on the Janka scale, which makes it among the softest woods in the world. Poplar cuts easy, is lightweight, and sells well. It’s often used for things like crates, pallets, bookshelves, and a variety of woodworking projects.

 6. CHERRY

Cherry wood comes from the American Black Cherry tree, which is a deciduous tree that primarily grows in the eastern part of the United States. It can also be found in eastern Minnesota and Nebraska, as well as Oklahoma and Texas. This prized hardwood has a beautiful color that is light pink to rich reddish brown. It saws easy and smells nice. Due to the high demand, sawyers can usually make pretty good money when they mill cherry wood. Cherry is especially popular for making furniture but also makes nice flooring and cabinets. It’s also used for boat interiors and musical instruments.  

7. ASH

Most species of Ash trees are deciduous and grow primarily in the eastern and central parts of the United States. Ash trees have also been found in western Texas, Wyoming, and Colorado. This incredibly strong wood is resistant to dents and scratches, which makes it ideal for flooring. Its shock resistance makes it a good choice for sporting equipment, such as baseball bats and hockey sticks. Ash is also lightweight and easy to work with, which makes it a good choice for woodworking projects.

8. SASSAFRAS

This deciduous tree is found primarily in the eastern part of the United States. This wood has a distinct scent that is similar to root beer. In fact root beer used to contain sassafras until the FDA banned its use. Besides its pleasant smell, sassafras saws easy, looks nice, and is moisture resistant. The most common uses for sassafras include boat building, barrels, fence posts, and paneling.

9. DOUGLAS-FIR

This evergreen tree grows primarily in the Pacific Northwest down to central California and also throughout the Rocky Mountains. It’s one of the most common trees used for a Christmas tree. These trees grow to be very large which means they yield large amounts of lumber. Douglas-fir is stiff and strong and is among the hardest softwoods in North America.  It is a great option for reclaimed wood flooring. Other uses of Douglas-fir include house logs, plywood, and construction.

10. REDWOOD

Redwood trees are some of the most impressive in the world. This large coniferous tree grows primarily along the coasts of Oregon and California. Sawyers like this wood because it cuts fast and straight, plus it brings pretty good money. This softwood has a beautiful color, doesn’t decay, and repels insects. Redwood is primarily used for outdoor furniture, fences, and decks, as well as structural beams and wall trim.

Do you agree or disagree with these top 10 kinds of wood that sawyers like to mill? Which kinds of wood would you add or remove?