(Prunus serotina)
Appearance
Color: Heartwood is light to dark reddish brown; sapwood is light brown to pale with a light pinkish tone. Some flooring manufactures steam lumber to bleed the darker heartwood color into the sapwood, resulting in a more uniform color.
Grain: Fine, frequently wavy, uniform texture.
Variations Within Species and Grades: Significant color variations between boards in common grades.
Properties
Hardness/Janka: 950; 26% softer than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Above average (change coefficient .00248; 33% more stable than red oak).
Durability: Strong, moderately hard; excellent shock resistance. Usually considered too soft for an entire floor - mostly used for borders and accents.
