Wood Species Guide
Detailed profiles of the wood species most commonly found in reclaimed lumber. Learn about characteristics, hardness, best uses, and how to identify each species.
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Understanding Wood Species
The species of wood determines nearly everything about how it performs: its hardness, decay resistance, workability, color, and grain pattern. When choosing reclaimed lumber, species selection is even more important than with new wood because the old-growth versions of these species often have dramatically different properties than their modern counterparts.
Below you will find detailed profiles of seven species that are most commonly encountered in the reclaimed lumber market, with special attention to species native to Louisiana and the Gulf South region.
Janka Hardness Comparison
The Janka hardness test measures the force required to embed a 0.444-inch steel ball halfway into the wood. Higher numbers indicate harder wood. This rating is critical for flooring, countertops, and any high-wear application.
Values in pounds-force (lbf). Heart Pine range reflects old-growth specimens.
Detailed Species Information
Bald Cypress
Taxodium distichum
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from light yellowish brown to dark reddish brown. Sapwood is pale yellowish white. Old-growth specimens develop a deep honey-amber tone with age. Weathered cypress turns a distinctive silver-gray.
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium to coarse texture. Growth rings are clearly visible, with old-growth specimens showing extremely tight rings. The wood has a slightly greasy or waxy feel.
Key Characteristics
- •Exceptional natural rot and insect resistance due to high cypressene oil content
- •Extremely durable even without chemical treatment
- •Dimensionally stable -- resists warping and swelling
- •Lightweight for its durability class
- •Distinctive aroma when freshly cut (cedar-like but sweeter)
- •Takes finishes and stains well
Best Uses
Exterior siding, shingles, decking, dock pilings, fence posts, garden beds, boat building, interior paneling, ceiling beams, flooring.
Availability
Good availability in the New Orleans market. We consistently stock reclaimed cypress in various dimensions.
In the Reclaimed Market
Reclaimed cypress is highly sought after in the Gulf South. Much of it comes from historic New Orleans homes, warehouses, and cisterns built in the 1800s and early 1900s. Old-growth reclaimed cypress is especially prized because the trees it came from -- some over 500 years old -- no longer exist in harvestable quantities. The heartwood from these ancient trees is denser and more rot-resistant than modern plantation-grown cypress.
Heart Pine (Longleaf Pine)
Pinus palustris
Color & Appearance
Rich amber to deep reddish-orange heartwood that darkens significantly with age and light exposure. The heartwood is distinctly darker than the pale yellow sapwood. Reclaimed heart pine has a warm, glowing patina that is nearly impossible to replicate with new wood.
Grain Pattern
Straight, tight grain with 15-30 growth rings per inch in old-growth specimens (compared to 4-6 in modern plantation pine). The dense grain creates a dramatic stripe pattern when quarter-sawn. Resin canals are visible as fine dark lines.
Key Characteristics
- •Extremely dense and hard for a softwood -- approaches hardwood performance
- •High resin content provides natural decay resistance
- •Old-growth specimens are dramatically harder than modern Southern yellow pine
- •Excellent structural strength-to-weight ratio
- •Develops a rich, warm patina with age
- •Can be difficult to work with hand tools due to resin and density
Best Uses
Flooring (one of the most prized reclaimed flooring species), stair treads, countertops, mantels, furniture, exposed beams, structural timbers, paneling.
Availability
Moderate to good availability. We regularly source heart pine from demolished industrial buildings and historic structures throughout Louisiana and Mississippi.
In the Reclaimed Market
Heart pine is the crown jewel of reclaimed lumber in the Southeast. The original longleaf pine forests that covered 90 million acres from Virginia to Texas were almost entirely harvested by the 1930s. The lumber from these trees -- with their impossibly tight grain and resin-saturated heartwood -- went into buildings, bridges, warehouses, and factories across the country. Today, the only way to obtain true old-growth heart pine is through reclamation.
White Oak
Quercus alba
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood, frequently with an olive or tan cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter but not always clearly demarcated. Ages to a warm golden brown. Quarter-sawn surfaces display dramatic ray fleck patterns (medullary rays) that are a hallmark of the species.
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The large pores in the earlywood create a ring-porous pattern. White oak has tyloses -- cellular growths that block the pores -- making the wood waterproof and ideal for barrel-making and boat construction.
Key Characteristics
- •Excellent rot resistance due to tyloses and high tannin content
- •Waterproof -- used for whiskey barrels, ships, and outdoor furniture
- •Very strong and hard-wearing
- •Steam-bends exceptionally well
- •High tannin content can cause staining with iron fasteners
- •Reacts with ammonia fuming to create deep, rich brown tones
Best Uses
Flooring, cabinetry, furniture, barrel making, boat building, exterior applications, trim work, stair components, timber framing.
Availability
Moderate availability. Sourced primarily from barn deconstruction and industrial building salvage across the Southeast.
In the Reclaimed Market
White oak is found in reclaimed lumber from industrial buildings, barns, ships, and whiskey barrels. Reclaimed white oak flooring is especially popular for its warm tone and durability. Barrel-stave oak has absorbed whiskey or wine flavors, making it prized for specialty furniture, countertops, and accent walls.
Red Oak
Quercus rubra
Color & Appearance
Light to medium reddish-brown heartwood with a pinkish tint. Sapwood is white to light brown and clearly distinct from heartwood. The color is warmer and more reddish than white oak. Ages to a deeper amber-red tone.
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse texture. Like white oak, red oak is ring-porous, but it lacks tyloses. This means red oak is porous and not suitable for waterproof applications like barrels. The open pores absorb stain readily, making it easy to color-match.
Key Characteristics
- •Hard and strong but not rot-resistant (lacks tyloses)
- •Absorbs stains and finishes readily -- easy to color-match
- •Machines well with both hand and power tools
- •Widely available and relatively affordable
- •Not suitable for exterior or wet applications without treatment
- •Can be difficult to distinguish from white oak without close examination
Best Uses
Interior flooring, cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, stair components, veneer, interior paneling.
Availability
Good availability. One of the more common species in reclaimed flooring and structural lumber.
In the Reclaimed Market
Red oak is commonly found in reclaimed flooring, particularly from schools, churches, gymnasiums, and commercial buildings built in the mid-20th century. Reclaimed red oak flooring has a warm, lived-in appearance that is difficult to replicate with new wood. The open grain takes stain beautifully, allowing you to match nearly any interior color palette.
Poplar (Yellow Poplar / Tulip Tree)
Liriodendron tulipifera
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is yellowish-green to olive-green, often with streaks of purple, black, blue, or red. The color variation is one of poplar's most distinctive features. Sapwood is creamy white. The green and purple streaks fade to brown with extended UV exposure.
Grain Pattern
Straight, uniform grain with a fine, even texture. Machines to a very smooth finish. The wood is lightweight for a hardwood and relatively soft, making it easy to work with both hand and power tools.
Key Characteristics
- •Lightweight and easy to work -- excellent for beginners
- •Takes paint exceptionally well (one of the best paint-grade hardwoods)
- •Affordable compared to other hardwoods
- •Not rot-resistant -- interior use only unless painted and sealed
- •Distinctive multi-colored heartwood when unfinished
- •Easy to nail, screw, and glue without splitting
Best Uses
Painted trim and molding, interior millwork, furniture (painted or stained), drawer sides, cabinet interiors, craft projects.
Availability
Moderate availability, primarily from interior demolition of historic homes.
In the Reclaimed Market
Reclaimed poplar is found in interior trim, millwork, and painted woodwork from historic homes and buildings. Because poplar was historically used as a paint-grade wood, much reclaimed poplar is found under layers of old paint. Once stripped, the colorful heartwood is often revealed. Poplar was also widely used for the structural framing of interior walls in older homes.
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a vibrant reddish to violet-brown with streaks of lighter and darker tones. Sapwood is pale yellow to white, creating dramatic color contrast. The red color deepens with age but may fade slightly in direct sunlight. Has a distinctively aromatic scent.
Grain Pattern
Fine, straight grain with a smooth texture and slight oily feel. Numerous small, tight knots are common and considered a feature rather than a defect. Growth rings are clearly visible and often irregular.
Key Characteristics
- •Extremely aromatic -- natural moth and insect repellent
- •Excellent decay and insect resistance
- •Dimensionally stable once dried
- •Brittle and can split easily -- pre-drilling recommended for fasteners
- •Naturally beautiful without any finish
- •Lightweight but strong for its weight class
Best Uses
Closet lining, chest and storage construction, fence posts, exterior siding, decking, garden structures, decorative paneling, aromatic accessories.
Availability
Limited availability in longer lengths. Short pieces and fence post stock are more readily available.
In the Reclaimed Market
Reclaimed cedar is found in closet interiors, cedar chests, fence posts, and exterior siding. The aromatic properties diminish over time, but a light sanding restores the characteristic cedar scent. Old cedar fence posts can yield short but very character-rich pieces perfect for small projects and accent pieces.
Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from yellow to light reddish-brown. Sapwood is tan to white. The wood develops a warm amber tone with age. Old-growth specimens have a deeper, richer color than second-growth trees. Clear vertical grain Douglas fir (CVG) has a refined, elegant appearance.
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium to coarse texture. Growth rings are very pronounced, creating a bold, striped pattern when flat-sawn. Vertical grain (quarter-sawn) has a more subtle, refined appearance. Old-growth fir has notably tighter grain than modern timber.
Key Characteristics
- •Outstanding strength-to-weight ratio -- one of the strongest softwoods
- •Widely used for structural applications and timber framing
- •Moderate natural decay resistance (heartwood only)
- •Stains and finishes well, though resin can cause blotching
- •Excellent for timber framing and heavy structural beams
- •Old-growth vertical-grain fir is exceptionally stable and clear
Best Uses
Structural framing, timber frame construction, exposed beams, flooring, doors, windows, heavy construction, marine applications, interior trim.
Availability
Good availability for beams and heavy timbers. Dimensional lumber availability varies seasonally.
In the Reclaimed Market
Reclaimed Douglas fir is commonly sourced from industrial buildings, railroad trestles, waterfront structures, and old warehouses in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. Old-growth fir beams from demolished factories are among the most impressive reclaimed timbers available -- massive, clear, and incredibly strong. These beams are highly sought after for exposed beam installations in both residential and commercial settings.
Species Comparison Matrix
Use this comprehensive table to compare all seven profiled species across the criteria that matter most for your project. Ratings are relative to each other, not absolute -- "Good" workability for white oak means easy to work compared to other hardwoods, while "Excellent" workability for poplar means it is among the easiest hardwoods to machine.
| Species | Hardness (Janka) | Rot Resistance | Workability | Availability | Price Range | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bald Cypress | 510 lbf | Excellent | Excellent | Good | $$ | Siding, decking, exterior, paneling |
| Heart Pine | 870-1,225 lbf | Very Good | Moderate | Moderate | $$$ | Flooring, mantels, furniture, beams |
| White Oak | 1,360 lbf | Excellent | Good | Moderate | $$$ | Flooring, cabinetry, exterior, barrels |
| Red Oak | 1,290 lbf | Poor | Good | Good | $$ | Interior flooring, cabinetry, trim |
| Poplar | 540 lbf | Poor | Excellent | Moderate | $ | Painted trim, millwork, craft |
| Eastern Red Cedar | 900 lbf | Excellent | Good | Limited | $$ | Closets, fencing, exterior, chests |
| Douglas Fir | 660 lbf | Moderate | Good | Good | $$ | Structural beams, framing, flooring |
Price ranges: $ = Budget-friendly, $$ = Moderate, $$$ = Premium. Actual pricing varies by grade, dimensions, and availability.
Regional Availability in Louisiana
The species you find in reclaimed lumber depends heavily on regional history. In the New Orleans area and across Louisiana, the building traditions, available forests, and climate have created a distinctive mix of reclaimed species that differs from what you would find in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, or Midwest.
Here is what we encounter most frequently when deconstructing buildings and processing salvaged material in the Greater New Orleans market, and why each species is so prevalent.
Bald Cypress -- The King of Louisiana Lumber
Cypress dominates the reclaimed market in NOLA for a simple reason: it was the default building material for over 200 years. The vast cypress swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Mississippi Delta supplied timber for everything from Creole cottages to industrial warehouses. Builders prized cypress because it thrives in Louisiana's humid, termite-heavy environment. Nearly every pre-1950 structure in New Orleans contains cypress in some form -- siding, framing, flooring, or cisterns. This makes it our most consistently available reclaimed species.
Heart Pine (Longleaf Pine) -- The Industrial Backbone
Louisiana was once covered by millions of acres of longleaf pine forest, stretching from the Florida Parishes north of Lake Pontchartrain through the piney woods of central and west Louisiana. By the 1930s, these forests were almost entirely logged to build the South's industrial infrastructure. The lumber went into warehouses, railroad trestles, factory floors, and mill buildings. When these structures come down, we recover dense, resin-rich heart pine that is 100-200 years old. It is our second most common reclaimed species and the most requested for flooring.
White and Red Oak -- From Barns and Ships
While oak is not as regionally dominant as cypress or heart pine, it appears regularly in reclaimed stock. White oak was used in shipbuilding at New Orleans' historic drydocks and in cooperage for the whiskey and sugar industries. Red oak was the go-to flooring species for mid-century commercial buildings, schools, and churches across the region. We source reclaimed oak from building demolitions throughout Louisiana and Mississippi.
Other Species -- Mixed Stock
Douglas fir appears in Louisiana primarily in large structural timbers and beams that were shipped by rail from the Pacific Northwest for industrial construction in the early 20th century. Poplar is found in the interior trim and painted millwork of historic homes. Cedar shows up in closet linings and fence posts. Occasionally, we encounter exotic species like mahogany in historic mansions or teak in marine applications. The diversity of New Orleans' architectural heritage means our reclaimed inventory always holds surprises.
Exotic & Unusual Species in Reclaimed Lumber
Beyond the common species, reclaimed lumber occasionally yields wood that is impossible to obtain any other way. These rare species command premium prices and are sought after by collectors, fine furniture makers, and architects working on exceptional projects.
Pecky Cypress
Taxodium distichum (with Stereum taxodii fungal pockets)
Pecky cypress is not a separate species but rather bald cypress that was infected by the fungus Stereum taxodii while the tree was still living. The fungus creates elongated pockets, channels, and voids in the heartwood that give the wood a distinctive, almost sculptural texture. Critically, the fungus dies when the tree is cut, so the decay process stops permanently. The remaining wood between the pockets is as rot-resistant and durable as any old-growth cypress.
Best Uses
Highly prized for decorative paneling, ceiling treatments, accent walls, bar tops, restaurant interiors, and any application where dramatic texture is desired. Each board is unique. The pockets can be left open for a rustic effect or filled with clear epoxy for a smooth, contemporary finish.
Availability
Pecky cypress cannot be manufactured -- it only occurs naturally in old-growth trees. Since the fungus that creates the pockets no longer has large living cypress to infect, reclaimed pecky cypress from historic structures is the primary source. We stock it when available, but supply is inconsistent and demand is high.
Sinker Cypress
Taxodium distichum (river-recovered)
Sinker cypress refers to old-growth cypress logs that sank to the bottom of rivers, bayous, and lakes during the great logging era of the 1800s and early 1900s. These logs have been submerged for 100 to 200+ years, preserved by the anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions at the bottom of the waterway. When recovered and milled, sinker cypress reveals extraordinary grain density, rich coloration ranging from olive green to deep chocolate brown, and a mineral-infused hardness that exceeds standard cypress.
Best Uses
The ultimate luxury reclaimed wood. Used for high-end furniture, one-of-a-kind tabletops, museum-quality mantels, guitar bodies, and architectural feature pieces. The color depth and grain patterns are unlike anything available in modern lumber. Some sinker cypress boards are treated as individual art pieces.
Availability
Very limited. Recovery operations in Louisiana waterways occasionally yield sinker logs, but the process is expensive and unpredictable. We carry sinker cypress when available, typically in slab form or as custom-milled boards. Prices reflect the extreme rarity and recovery costs.
American Chestnut
Castanea dentata
American chestnut was once the dominant hardwood tree in the eastern United States, with an estimated 4 billion trees stretching from Maine to Mississippi. The chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica), introduced from Asia around 1904, wiped out virtually the entire population by the 1950s. Living American chestnut trees of any size are now extraordinarily rare. The wood is similar to oak in appearance but lighter in weight, with excellent rot resistance, straight grain, and a warm, honey-brown color.
Best Uses
Reclaimed American chestnut is used for flooring, furniture, barn doors, paneling, and any application where its historical significance and warm beauty are valued. The wood works easily, takes finishes well, and has natural tannin content that provides moderate decay resistance. It is often described as having the beauty of oak with the workability of poplar.
Availability
Extremely rare and highly sought after. Reclaimed chestnut comes exclusively from barns, cabins, and fence rails built before the blight. Most of our chestnut stock comes from Appalachian barn deconstruction projects. When available, it commands premium pricing comparable to sinker cypress.
Longleaf Pine (Virgin Old-Growth)
Pinus palustris (200-500 year old specimens)
While heart pine is relatively available in the reclaimed market, truly exceptional old-growth longleaf pine -- from trees that were 200 to 500 years old when harvested -- is in a category of its own. These specimens have 25 to 40 growth rings per inch (compared to 15-20 in standard old-growth and 4-6 in modern plantation pine). The resin content is so high that the wood is sometimes called "fat lighter" and will burn like a torch when lit. The heartwood percentage approaches 100% with virtually no sapwood.
Best Uses
The most prized flooring species in the reclaimed market. Also used for high-end furniture, stair treads, countertops, and structural beams where both beauty and strength are required. A floor made from 300-year-old longleaf pine will outperform modern hardwoods in hardness while displaying grain patterns and color depth that cannot be replicated.
Availability
Rare in exceptional grades. We encounter this material in large industrial buildings, railroad bridges, and factory floors from the late 1800s. The best specimens are set aside and priced individually based on grain density, color, and dimensions.
Sustainability Rating: New vs. Reclaimed by Species
Not all reclaimed lumber is equally "green," and not all new lumber is equally damaging. The environmental benefit of choosing reclaimed over new depends on the species, how the new version is harvested, and whether the species is endangered, plantation-grown, or sustainably managed. Here is how each species stacks up.
| Species | New Harvest Impact | Reclaimed Benefit | Sustainability Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bald Cypress | Moderate. Second-growth plantations exist but old-growth swamp logging damages fragile wetland ecosystems critical to Louisiana's coast. | High. Preserves irreplaceable wetland habitat. Reclaimed old-growth cypress is denser and more durable than new plantation stock. | A |
| Heart Pine (Longleaf) | Very High. Longleaf pine ecosystems are critically endangered (only 3% of original range remains). New old-growth is unavailable. | Very High. The only source of true old-growth longleaf pine. Each reclaimed board preserves carbon and eliminates harvest pressure on remnant forests. | A+ |
| White Oak | Low to Moderate. White oak is sustainably managed in many forests. Growth is slow but populations are stable. | Moderate. Reduces demand and diverts waste, but new white oak is available sustainably. Reclaimed offers superior patina and character. | B+ |
| Red Oak | Low. One of the most abundant hardwoods in North America. Widely managed in sustainable forestry programs. | Moderate. Primarily a waste-diversion benefit. New red oak is readily available from well-managed forests. | B |
| Poplar | Low. Fast-growing, abundant, and widely plantation-grown. One of the most sustainable new-harvest hardwoods. | Low to Moderate. Waste diversion is valuable, but new poplar has minimal environmental footprint. | B- |
| Eastern Red Cedar | Low. Actually considered invasive in some regions. Harvesting can be ecologically beneficial by restoring grassland habitat. | Low. New cedar harvest is often environmentally positive. Reclaimed cedar value is primarily aesthetic and historical. | C+ |
| Douglas Fir | Moderate. Large-scale Pacific Northwest logging has significant ecosystem impact. Old-growth fir forests are ecologically critical. | High. Old-growth reclaimed fir beams are irreplaceable. Reduces pressure on remaining Pacific Northwest old-growth stands. | A- |
| American Chestnut | N/A. Species functionally extinct due to blight. No commercial new harvest exists. | Very High. Reclaimed is the only source. Every board is irreplaceable. Maximum conservation value. | A+ |
Sustainability scores reflect the relative environmental benefit of choosing reclaimed over new-harvest lumber for each species, considering habitat impact, species rarity, and carbon lifecycle.
Looking for a Specific Species?
We stock most of these species in reclaimed form and can source specialty wood on request. Tell us what you need and we will check our inventory.