The History of America’s Love Affair with Hardwoods
American hardwoods have been cut and carved since indigenous people first inhabited the North American continent. From early log cabins made with long hardwood trunks to the first substantial architectural projects, Americans have used hardwoods as a preferred building material. The versatility of hardwoods made them a preferred material since their first use by carvers.
Since that time, hardwoods have been valued for their beauty, density, durability and more. The hardwoods that could be carved more easily with less industrial tools were highly valued by the first builders. As tools became more robust and commercial machines took hold, American craftspeople and builders were able to create extraordinary works with the denser hardwoods.
For the size of its land mass and population, America is considered to have an abundance of hardwoods. Despite it being a constant battle, legislation has been created and enforced somewhat consistently to protect America’s forests. As a result, hardwood remains available to be used for gorgeous furniture and other uses.
What are Some of the More Popular Hardwoods?
The list of US hardwoods includes:
- Red oaks
- White oaks
- Soft maples
- Yellow Poplar
- Hard Maple
- Hickory
- Sweetgum
- Ash
- Cottonwood and Aspen
- Tupelo and Black Gum
- Black Cherry
- Red Alder
- Basswood
- Yellow Birch
- Black Walnut
Why Do We Love American Hardwoods?
Before one looks at the wood itself, let’s not forget the tree as a totality. Humans have an association with trees and natural woods partly because they are partof the universal consciousness in which humans exist. They breath, live, procreate and communicate using an energy which humans must tune into to be able to understand. We need not stray too far to appreciate the practical value of trees –through their own natural processes they help clean our increasingly polluted air and keep things closer to “in balance”, and enabling us to breathe and sustain our lives. They are a huge source of energy, and with more study their power could potentially be harnessed as a major energy source. Their aesthetic beauty, majesty, and magic have been attempted to be captured in words since humans first began to interact with trees.
Hardwood Uses for Furniture
Hardwood is a primary resource for our most basic (and more luxurious) furniture needs. In countries that have experienced greater economic wealth, hardwoods are typically used for:
- Tables
- Chairs
- Countertops
- Cutting boards
- Doors
- Flooring
- Shelving
Buying Custom Hardwood Table tops, Counter tops, Shelving and more
Hardwood furniture has a depth and beauty that other types of furniture simply don’t have. It’s versatile, and can be enriched through coating or staining to fit any environment—the polo club or the bar down the street, or your dining room.
While it’s always a battle, hardwood forests seem to be managed slightly better than other types of woods, which bodes well ecologically and naturally for all of us and the world around us. The economics of the wood industry will often lead to woods that are more desirable for consumer uses being taken more seriously in terms of conservation and planning.
If you are looking for a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind dining room table, enjoy a visit to our dining tables page. But take note that we can make any size, any hardwood type, to custom. We simply cannot put all of the possible designs on our website.
If you are looking for multiple tables or table tops in volume, take a look at some of our table tops.
Hardtwood Only Uses the Best American Hardwoods for Your Furniture Needs
Hardtwood is a custom woodworking shop which resides in the suburbs of Long Island, NY. They combine handcrafted techniques with modern technology to create bespoke furniture & decor for their clients' homes, offices, restaurants, cafes, and more. They use only exotic hardwoods sourced locally and mill them down into raw stock before crafting one-of-a kind items at your request; you can count on Hardtwoods designing anything outfitted with exceptional quality and precision while still staying true to your vision.
