Here is a list of the most valuable trees for lumber.
Building materials aren’t complete without timber.
This resource can be used in various ways, including fitting joists and roof trusses. Moreover, the construction industry relies on timber to make staircases, windowsills, subfloor installation, and door casings.
Valuable Timber Tree Species
While true, do you know the most valuable trees for timber? Of course not, which is why you’re here.
Don’t worry; this article will provide you with a list of valuable trees for timber. But before then, let’s understand what wood is all about.
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What’s a Timber?
The word timber is used to describe trees that are cut into different sizes and shapes.
Such kinds of wood undergo a series of processes for various construction applications. As mentioned above, timber can be used for roofing, furniture, subfloor installation, and more.
Meanwhile, most people often need clarification on timber and lumber. Some think these two terms are the same. But that’s not entirely the case. There’s a big difference between timber and lumber.
Timber is the raw material for the lumber used for construction projects and other purposes.
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Classification of Trees
Before listing out the most valuable trees for timber, let’s understand how trees are classified.
Generally, trees are categorized into two classes. We have hardwood and softwood trees. These two classes of trees vary accordingly.
Hardwood trees are durable products that can take several years to grow. Usually, these types of trees grow and develop into denser wood. The thicker the wood, the more robust and durable its timber and lumber become.
Examples of hardwood trees include oak, birch, hickory, cherry, and more.
Softwood, on the other hand, grows to maturity in no distant time. They are often lighter in weight compared to hardwood. Examples of such trees are pine, cedar, spruce, and more.
These trees comprise the lion’s share of timber used in the construction industry.
Most Valuable Trees For Timber
Having understood the two classes of trees, it’s time to look at some trees suitable for timber.
Such trees include black walnut, black cherry, red or white oak, sugar maple, and hickory trees. Other valuable trees for wood are birch, fir, and pine trees. We’ll briefly go over these trees to better understand.
This is a majestic tree that originates from eastern North America. These trees are grown commercially for timber and nuts.
Typically, black walnut wood can be used for furniture making, flooring, and long guns. The tree can thrive in full sun and grow to about 50 to 75 feet.
This height makes it perfect for timber.
Black cherry is a large native tree in the Midwest and eastern U.S. The tree is well-known for its dark coloring and tight grain. It can grow to a height between 50 and 80 feet.
Moreover, black cherry has wilted leaves that contain a poisonous substance called “cyanide.” These leaves are capable of killing animals that feed on them.
You can also refer to this tree as complex or rock maple.
It’s a tree that can grow up to 50 to 75 feet tall and 40 to 50 spread. It produces sweet sap for maple syrup and can be used to make various sporting and entertainment products.
These include drums, guitars, pianos, and more. Besides musical instruments, this tree can be used for flooring, basketball, and making baseball bats.
You can also call it mighty oak because of its deep roots and fast-growing nature. The tree grows tall and straight, with glossy green leaves that turn red in fall.
Red and white oak trees can grow to about 90 feet.
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Soft and Hard Maple
These two species of trees are suitable for timber.
They can grow to a height of up to 100 meters. Like sugar maple, they can be used to make various sporting and entertainment products.
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Yellow-Poplar
This tree is called the tulip tree or white poplar.
The tree is native to eastern North America and among the fast-growing trees across the country. Yellow poplar can grow to a height of about 80 to 100 feet.
Sometimes, you can get varieties that reach heights of 150 feet.
A yellow-poplar tree trunk is massive in old age and deeply furrowed with thick bark. It maintains a straight trunk and doesn’t frequently form double or multiple leaders.
This feature makes it a perfect tree for timber.
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Hickory
This is an attractive and high-branching tree found in the Eastern part of the U.S. The tree is shade-tolerant and easy to grow. It also produced seeds and nuts that can be harvested in addition to wood.
Moreover, its stretch and shock absorption capabilities make it perfect for sporting equipment and tool handles. These include skis, bows, axe handles, golf clubs, and more.
A hickory tree can grow to 60 to 80 feet and sometimes reach 120 feet.
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Fir
Fir is one of the most durable species of tree that can be used for timber. It has a specific weight of about 470kg and is used in construction. They make astonishing furniture and floor covers with wood.
This kind of tree is evergreen and confers with needle-like leaves. The tree can grow from 10 to 260 feet tall. The smallest among pine trees is around 80 feet tall.
Because of its tremendous height, it falls among the best for timber. However, pine trees are lightweight.
The Average Price of Valuable Timber Trees
The value of timber trees is determined based on the market price of each species by region. Other influencing factors include the age, quality, volume, and accessibility of the trees.
Northern red oak typically costs $726, white oak $646, mixed oak $533, and black cherry $696. Trees such as white ash cost $296, hard maple $510, soft maple $418, and yellow-poplar $346.
Several trees can be used for timber, but not all are valuable—the trees we highlighted above suit wood and the market’s cost. If you have any of them in your yard or farm, know they can fetch you a reasonable amount.