Tennessee is full of beautiful native and exotic hardwood trees. Both large and small, Tennessee hardwood species are crucial to the local habitat and provide many advantages for local wildlife, individuals, and global manufacturing. Want to learn more about the common hardwood species in Tennessee and discover how these beautiful trees are used in our everyday life? Read on below!
What Is Tennessee Hardwood?
While some exotic or invasive tree species have taken hold of forests in Tennessee, many hardwood varieties are native to the area. There is a botanical distinction between hardwoods and softwoods, as well as the practical differences.
Hardwoods are anatomically more dense and use more cell types. Softwoods, in contrast, are reasonably simple and use few cell types. What makes practical hardwood that’s used in construction and manufacturing throughout the world is density. A dense, heavy wood is a more rugged building material for furniture, flooring and a variety of other applications. The variety and quality of hardwood trees in Tennessee makes it a particularly valuable commodity.
Uses of Hardwoods
Hardwood trees are diverse in their appearance and application. One of the most common uses of hardwood trees is producing lumber. Hardwoods are renowned for their strength and durability, so they’re often processed these uses:
Cabinetry
Flooring
Trim
Siding
Tool handles
Canoe paddles
Boats
And more
As a standing, living tree, Tennessee hardwoods are an excellent landscape feature. Tall, elegant trees provide shade in the summer, beautiful leaves in the fall and a lifetime of support, protection and an iconic look. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful tree for your front yard, a practical form of shade for your backyard, or beautiful hardwood flooring, then consider these Tennessee hardwoods for your home. From mighty oak trees to distinct hickory and walnut trees, compare these popular hardwoods to learn more about the natural beauty of Tennessee.
Oak
A common Tennessee hardwood species is oak. Perhaps the most common in the nation, oak is widely available and widely used. Tall oak trees make a beautiful centerpiece to your lawn, while oak boards can be used for cabinets, doors, trim and even firewood.
Oak can hold a stain well, so a reddish brown stain is popular for interior oak applications. The rich, brown tones provide a warm, comfortable look to your home.
Hickory
These towering trees can grow to heights over 100 feet and take 200 years to fully mature. Once matured and processed, hickory Tennessee hardwood is surprisingly strong, shock resistant and heavy.
Hickory provides a wonderful aroma and flavoring when cut into chips for smoking meat and vegetables. This dense hardwood is most popularly used in flooring, where it provides a long-lasting surface that is beautifully colored with rich tones.
Maple
Not only does this fantastic Tennessee hardwood provide tasty sap for making maple syrup, it’s iconic leaf shape and firm lumber make it popular standing and processed. Maple is another very popular hardwood option, in Tennessee and throughout the country.
Unlike oak, maple has a light color to it. This cream-like surface is particularly popular with more modern-looking homes. Similar in look to birch and pine, maple can be used with or without stain. Most flooring, trim and cabinet applications don’t use a dark stain, but choose to highlight the natural lightness of this hardwood.
Walnut
One of the darkest Tennessee hardwood species is walnut. This vibrant, chocolate-colored hardwood is popular in furniture making, veneered pieces and other applications. It’s most commonly stained darker than its original color, although it can be left natural or lightened up. The rugged nature of this hardwood ensures long-lasting furniture and other interior pieces.
Black walnut is a large, tall tree that provides plenty of shade in the summer and an iconic look year round. Standing walnut trees can grow for years and provide a rich habitat for wildlife. When processed, walnut trees produce plenty of rugged lumber to use for a variety of manufacturing processes.
Ash
Finally, the last popular Tennessee hardwood species is ash. Whether you have white ash or black ash, these hardwoods look very much like oak and provide much of the same durability and style. It provides a strong, dense and shock-resistant material that’s used in a variety of applications.
Ash is popularly used in outdoor applications as well. From antique vehicle parts and canoe paddles to railroad ties and boats, ash has been a reliable and popular option for many uses.
Learn More About Tennessee Hardwoods
Find your favorite wood from Tennessee today. If you're shopping for hardwood flooring in Nashville or the surrounding area, compare these popular options for yourself to find out the most valuable and practical option for your particular needs.
Whether you’re curious about the natural beauty and strength of native hardwoods or looking for a natural flooring or cabinetry material for use in your home, Tennessee is home to many beautiful species of hardwoods that are perfect when used for flooring. Talk to our showroom experts today about what types of wood are best for your project.