COLOR: Heartwood varies from light yellow/orange to reddish brown or yellowish brown; sapwood is light tan to yellowish white.

HARDNESS: Janka hardness of 690 as compared to the hardness of 1290 for Red Oak.

GRAIN: Generally straight but uneven grained with a medium texture. #2C will have many more knots than C & Better or D grade. The image to the left is of a #2C floor.

VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Low to Moderate color variation.

SAWING/MACHINING: Sawing is difficult due to the fact that resin tends to gum up blades and cutting tools.

SANDING: Sands well.

NAILING: Good holding ability, easy to nail by hand or with power nailer.

FINISHING: Resin can, in some cases, repel finishes, especially around knots.