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Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
One of the strongest softwoods, Douglas Fir is often the preferred species for structural purposes. Sapwood is white to pale yellow; heartwood is russet with high contrast between springwood and summerwood. Sold and marketed separately or as Douglas Fir-Larch.
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Western Larch (Larix occidentalis)
Distinct among commercial softwoods for its fine, uniform, straight grain, Larch is one of the harder, stronger and heavier softwoods. Heartwood is russet or reddish brown, sapwood is straw brown, usually marketed and sold as Douglas Fir-Larch.
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Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)
Western Hemlock is among the harder, stronger Western softwoods. Whitish to light yellow-brown springwood, summerwood frequently has a purplish or reddish-brown tinge, heartwood is not distinct. Small black streaks often appear in the wood. It is marketed and sold separately and in the Hem-Fir species combination.
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California Red Fir (Abies magnifica)
A true fir, moderately strong and lightweight. The timber is often slightly more reddish than that from other true firs. Springwood is pinkish white to light brown, summerwood gradually changes to reddish brown or lavender. Heartwood is indistinct. Marketed and sold in the Hem-Fir species combination.
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Noble Fir (Abies procera)
One of the true firs, Noble Fir is valued for its light color and uniform, straight grain. Springwood is creamy white to light brown, summerwood gradually changes to reddish brown or lavender tinged. Heartwood is indistinct. Sometimes sold separately, but usually marketed and sold as Hem-Fir.
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White Fir/Grand Fir (Abies concolor/Abies grandis)
The true firs are often used interchangeably. All are moderately strong and light weight. Springwood, creamy white to light brown, summerwood gradually changes to reddish brown or lavender tinged. The heartwood is indistinct. Relatively straight-grained and easy to work. Usually marketed and sold as Hem-Fir.
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Pacific Silver Fir (Abies amabilis)
A true fir, moderately strong and lightweight. Very similar to Hemlock in its distinguishing characteristics. Springwood, creamy white to light brown, summerwood gradually changes to reddish brown or lavender tinged. Heartwood is indistinct. Marketed and sold in the Hem-Fir species combination.
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Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta)
Lodgepole pine is the strongest of the Western pines. It has relatively straight grain, white to yellow sapwood and light reddish-brown heartwood. Relatively easy to work, it machines to satiny finish. Knots will not bleed through paint. In the structural sizes and grades, Lodgepole Pine is included in the Spruce-Pine-Fir (South) species combination. It is also marketed and sold separately or with Engelmann Spruce.
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Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii)
One of the lightest weight commercially important softwoods, but strong in relation to weight. It is nearly white with a reddish tinge; medium to fine textures and straight grained. The structural framing grades are marketed and sold in the Spruce-Pine-Fir (South) or ES/LP species combination.
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Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)
The creamy white to light yellow sapwood of Sitka Spruce blends gradually into pinkish-yellow to light brown heartwood. The wood is classed moderate in many of its properties, including weight and hardness. It is marketed and sold separately or in the Spruce-Pine-Fir (South) species combination.
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Idaho White Pine (Western White Pine) (Pinus monticola)
Light in color, it varies from nearly white to pale reddish brown and darkens with exposure. Moderately soft, even-textured, straight-grained, light-weight wood. It is famous for its beauty and workability across or with the grain. Available separately or in the Western Wood species combination.
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Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana)
It is moderately strong and soft with fairly uniform texture. Sapwood is creamy white, heartwood darkens to a light brown and is occasionally red-tinged. Resin canals appear as dark streaks. Available separately, but also marketed and sold as part of the Western Wood species combination.
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Ponderosa Pine (Pinus Ponderosa)
Sapwood is nearly white to pale yellow, heartwood is yellowish to light reddish-brown. It is moderately strong and straight-grained. Marketed and sold separately or in the Western Woods species combination.
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Alpine Fir (Subalpine Fir) (Abies lasiocarpa)
A true fir, somewhat strong and lightweight. Springwood is creamy white to light brown, summerwood gradually changes to reddish brown or lavender tinged. Heartwood is indistinct. Usually marketed and sold in the Western Woods species combination.
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Alaska Cedar (Yellow Cedar) (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis)
It has a fine, uniform texture and straight grain and it's nearly yellow color silvers upon exposure. Strongly aromatic, it is moderately strong and hard. Used where weather resistance, stability, and workability are needed. Marketed and sold separately.
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Port Orford Cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)
Port Orford Cedar is finely textured with a pungent, ginger-like odor. Heartwood is light yellow to pale brown, sapwood is thin and hard to distinguish. Marketed and sold separately; limited availability.
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Incense Cedar (Libocedrus decurrens)
Fine and uniformly textured, with a distinctly spicy odor. Sapwood is white or cream colored. Heartwood is light brown, frequently tinged with red and is extremely durable. Marketed and sold separately or in the Western Cedars combination.
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Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
It is non-resinous and has a strong spicy odor. Heartwood varies from dark reddish brown to a pinkish color and has excellent weather-resistant properties. Sapwood is light yellow. Marketed and sold separately or in the Western Cedars combination.
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| Photo and description courtesy of "Softwoods of the Western U.S.A." |
