COMMON NAMES:   Beech

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:   .56

DENSITY:  

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:   11.9%

RADIAL MOVEMENT:   5.5%

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:   17.2%

DURABILITY1:   Poor

SOURCE:  Eastern U.S., westward to Wisconsin and Texas

DESCRIPTION:   Beech is heavy, hard, strong and stiff, with good shock resistance and wear properties. Medium luster, finishes well. Heartwood light reddish brown, displaying fine medullary ray flecks. Experiences considerable movement in use due to high shrinkage.

1 Durability refers to a wood's resistance to rotting in wet environments.