Hardwoods

The many types of hardwood available in Canada can be used in countless ways, from furniture to sports equipment to hardwood flooring. Hardwood connoisseurs appreciate this type of wood’s varied colours and high density, which comes from trees growing in a very cold climate. Hardwood has a long history of inspiring artists and architects, which has been used to create ships and structures, handles and homes, and countless other items for thousands of years. Most hardwoods are multipurpose, with both genetics and geography determining the wood’s density, bending strength, and hardness.

For more information about Quebec hardwood products, please visit QWEB, a member association of Canada Wood Group: https://quebecwoodexport.com/en/

For more information about Ontario Hardwood products, please download the brochure here.

Species	Scientific name	Commercial name(s)	Key properties	Common applications
Red oak	Quercus rubra	Red oak	Durable hardwood with light pink to dark reddish-brown colour and dramatic grain pattern	Cabinetry, flooring, trim, furniture
Sugar maple	Acer saccharum	Hard maple, sugar maple	Heavy, strong, stiff, shock-resistant; excellent working properties	Mouldings, architectural millwork, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, cutting boards, countertops, veneer, musical instruments, sports equipment
Red maple	Acer rubrum	Soft maple, red maple	Similar grain to hard maple, but softer and slightly lighter in colour; stains and finishes well	Furniture, mouldings, architectural millwork, turnings, carved products
Black cherry	Prunus serotina	Black cherry, cherry	Rich red to reddish-brown heartwood; stable, workable and valued for its finishing qualities	High-end furniture, cabinetry, flooring, trim, interior finishes, musical instruments
Yellow birch	Betula alleghaniensis	Yellow birch	Heavy, hard and versatile; machines, bends and turns well	Furniture, veneer, doors, cabinetry, plywood, flooring
White birch	Betula papyrifera	White birch, paper birch	Creamy white to pale brown; slightly lighter and softer than yellow birch; shapes, bends, turns and stains well	Furniture, dowels, woodenware, utensils, hockey stick blades, specialty products
Poplar / Aspen	Populus tremuloides and related Populus species	Poplar, aspen	Light in weight, easy to work, affordable; takes paints and stains well	Mouldings, door core stock, framing, caskets, blinds, wooden cookware, interior cabinet parts
White ash	Fraxinus americana	White ash, ash	Strong, hard and shock-resistant	Flooring, millwork, furniture, handles, specialty applications
Basswood	Tilia americana	Basswood	Light, soft and easy to work	Mouldings, carving, interior components, specialty wood products
Beech	Fagus grandifolia	Beech	Hard, dense and suitable for interior applications	Flooring, furniture, turnings, handles
White oak	Quercus alba	White oak	Durable hardwood with strong appearance and performance characteristics	Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, millwork, specialty applications
Black walnut	Juglans nigra	Walnut, black walnut	Premium appearance hardwood with dark colour and decorative value	Fine furniture, cabinetry, veneer, architectural millwork, specialty products