{"id":1928,"date":"2009-07-22T13:04:57","date_gmt":"2009-07-22T19:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wood-database.com\/?page_id=1928"},"modified":"2024-12-31T00:43:09","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T05:43:09","slug":"wood-identification-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wood-database.com\/wood-articles\/wood-identification-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Wood Identification Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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by Eric Meier<\/strong><\/p>

When attempting to identify a wood sample, it\u2019s important to keep in mind the limitations and obstacles that are present in our task. Before starting, please have a look at\u00a0The Truth Behind Wood Identification<\/a>\u00a0to approach the task in a proper mindset; I consider the linked article to be required reading for all those visiting my site with the intent of identifying wood.<\/p>

1. Confirm it is actually solid wood.<\/h1>

Before proceeding too much farther into the remaining steps, it\u2019s first necessary to confirm that the material in question is actually a solid piece of wood, and not a man-made composite or piece of plastic made to imitate wood.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a>
A solid piece of Cocobolo: note how the grain naturally wraps around the sides and endgrain of the wood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Can you see the end-grain?\u00a0<\/h3>

Manufactured wood such as MDF, OSB, and particleboard all have a distinct look that is\u2014in nearly all cases\u2014easily distinguishable from the endgrain of real wood. Look for growth rings\u2014formed by the yearly growth of a tree\u2014which will be a dead-giveaway that the wood sample in question is a solid, genuine chunk of wood taken from a tree.<\/p>

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Viewing the end of this “board” reveals its true identity: particleboard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Is it veneered?\u00a0<\/h3>

If you see a large panel that has a repeating grain pattern, it may be a veneer. In such cases, a very thin layer of real wood is peeled from a tree and attached to a substrate; sometimes the veneer can be one continuous repeating piece because it is rotary-sliced to shave off the veneer layer as the tree trunk is spun by machines. Assuming it is a real wood veneer with a distinct grain and texture\u2014and not merely a piece of printed plastic\u2014you may still be able to identify the outer veneer wood in question, but you should still realize that is it only a veneer and not a solid piece of wood.<\/p>

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Large repeating patterns suggest a veneer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Is it painted or printed to look like wood?\u00a0<\/h3>

Many times, especially on medium to large-sized flat panels for furniture, a piece of particleboard or MDF is either laminated with a piece of wood-colored plastic, or simply painted to look like wood grain. Many of today\u2019s interior hardwood flooring planks are good examples of these pseudo-wood products: they are essentially a man-made material made of sawdust, glues, resins, and durable plastics.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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