I recently lost over 50 old growth hardwood trees in storms and have a bunch of saw logs to work with. As I'm diving deeper into woodworking, I want to mill some of this lumber, but I can't possibly use it all due to my hobbyist status. I've always used oak and poplar in my projects, but I've noticed that beech isn't as common. I'm curious if that's because it's not widely available or if it's considered inferior. I have a couple of massive beech trees that fell—over 30 inches in diameter—and I'm debating whether I should have some milled or just stick with oak. What do you all think about including beech? What about hickory, as I have one of those logs too, but it's smaller? Plus, any tips on working with the sawyer would be great!
6 Answers
There are a few reasons beech isn't widely utilized: 1) It doesn't grow as plentifully as cherry or maple, 2) it tends to spalt and rot quickly if it falls in the forest, 3) it moves a lot while drying and is prone to cracking, and 4) European beech is cheaper and more readily available, making it tough for American beech to compete in the market.
Beech can be tricky—sawing and drying it without issues is a bit of a challenge. It might help to steam it before kiln drying. Don’t be intimidated, though; with some extra care, it can be great!
If you're considering planemaking, there’s a niche market for quartersawn beech, but it's tricky to dry without defects. If you plan on using it, make sure to split and quarter it correctly for the best results in planemaking applications!
Beech is definitely good for woodworking, kinda similar to birch in appearance, but not the most exciting wood. Hickory’s great too, but it can dull your tools super fast—trust me, my handplanes hate it! Oak remains my favorite, but mix it up if you want to!
There's definitely some underrated value in American Beech. According to the Wood Database, it has decent strength and hardness and it’s relatively affordable. If you're worried about its bland look, you could pair it with something darker, like walnut, in your projects. That combo can really elevate the overall aesthetic!
American Beech is a solid choice for woodworking! It offers great variety, so I say go for it. Just remember, hickory is fantastic for specific uses like handles but might be better off split rather than milled.
Just make sure to keep an eye on warping. Beech can crack quite a bit when drying, so proper techniques are key.