Finer Desk Hardwood Species
Hard Maple
Hard Maple is typically off white or cream colored with very subtle wavy grain patterns. Hard Maple features extremely high shock resistance and durability making it a great choice for many types of heavy use furniture. Finer Desk sources sustainable, US harvested Hard Maple for its desktops.
Harvest Tree Age: 60 – 100 years
Native Growing Region: New England, New York, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: Hard Maple’s excellent shock resistance makes it the premier choice for basketball court floors and for MLB baseball bats.
American Black Walnut
Black Walnut features a dark and warm complexion. It is a dense and wonderfully fine-grained hardwood with spectacular woodworking properties making it a top choice for artisans. Finer Desk sources sustainable, US harvested American Walnut for its desktops.
Harvest Tree Age: 40 – 80 years
Native Growing Region: Eastern to Midwestern US
Fun Fact: The Black Walnut is allelopathic meaning that its roots release herbicidal chemicals that harm other plants growing in the tree’s vicinity.
White Oak
Black Walnut features a dark and warm complexion. It is a dense and White Oak has a light brown color with a slight olive hue. Its light color, straight grain, and great ability to take stain allows Oak wood to express itself well in nearly any space. Finer Desk sources sustainable, US harvested White Oak for its desktops.
Harvest Tree Age: 80 – 120 years
Native Growing Region: Eastern US
Fun Fact: In 1794 George Washington commissioned the construction of the famous USS Constitution, which was made of White Oak. This ship is still a commissioned military vessel.
Red Oak
Red Oak shows soft salmon pink undertones alongside the characteristic olive hues of Oak wood. Red Oak wood has a high crush strength, a straight grain, and a coarser texture than White Oak. It is more abundant than White Oak. Finer Desk sources sustainable, US harvested Red Oak for its desktops.
Harvest Tree Age: 40 – 80 years
Native Growing Region: Eastern US
Fun Fact: The Red Oak is a hardy, fast growing tree with beautiful fall colors which makes it a popular choice for golf courses.
Ash
Ash wood features warm wood tones with an aesthetic straight grain. Very high in shock resistance and hardness, Ash is a popular choice for high strength furniture. Finer Desk sources sustainable, US harvested Ash for its desktops.
Harvest Tree Age: 30 – 70 years
Native Growing Region: Eastern US
Fun Fact: Ash cutoffs are commonly used to smoke foods, particularly red meats and fish.