Butcher Block Table

Wood Species Guide

Red Oak

• Grain: Bold cathedral arches with textured grain that helps mask everyday wear.
  
• Durability: Janka hardness 1290; very sturdy with a grain that hides dents.
  
• Color: Works well from natural golden to deep tones (Seely, Michael’s Cherry, Asbury, Earthtone).
  
• Style: Perfect for traditional designs.
  

Brown Maple

• Grain: Smooth, subtle grain with natural brown mineral streaks. Dark stains create a more uniform appearance.
  
• Durability: Janka hardness 950; similar to Cherry. Strong, though it benefits from some care.
  
• Color: Best in medium-to-dark finishes (Seely, Michael’s Cherry, Asbury, Earthtone).
  
• Style: Great for Shaker and contemporary designs; also a good Cherry alternative.
  

Cherry / Rustic Cherry / Sap Cherry

• Differences: Rustic Cherry has more natural knots and burls; Sap Cherry mixes lighter sapwood with darker heartwood.
  
• Grain: Rich and flowing with timeless beauty.
  
• Durability: Janka hardness 950; durable but softer than Oak or QSWO.
  
• Color: Beautiful in both natural and dark finishes (Asbury, Earthtone).
  
• Style: Works across Victorian, Shaker, modern, and traditional looks.
  

Quarter Sawn White Oak (QSWO) / Rustic QSWO

• Differences: Rustic allows more knots and natural character; standard QSWO is cleaner.
  
• Grain: Tight grain with unique “tiger stripe” flakes from quarter-sawn milling.
  
• Durability: Janka hardness 1335; extremely strong and long-lasting.
  
• Color: Popular in warm browns and reds (Seely, Michael’s, Lite Asbury, Asbury).
  
• Style: Signature for Mission style; also excellent in Shaker and traditional.
  

Hickory

• Grain: Strong, bold grain with rustic character. Rustic Hickory shows more knots and variation.
  
• Durability: Janka hardness 1820; one of the hardest American hardwoods. Very heavy and long-lasting.
  
• Color: Striking natural finish; also stains beautifully. (Natural, Seely, Michael’s, Asbury, Earthtone).
  
• Style: Perfect for rustic or lodge-inspired furniture but versatile with the right finish.
  

Hard Maple

• Grain: Smooth, refined, and uniform with a clean appearance.
  
• Durability: Janka hardness 1450; very dense and durable.
  
• Color: Accepts a wide range of finishes, ideal for consistent lighter tones (Natural, Seashell, Asbury, Almond).
  
• Style: Great for modern, minimal, and Shaker designs.
  

Walnut

• Grain: Distinct, elegant, flowing grain with rich depth and color.
  
• Durability: Janka hardness 1010; harder than Cherry or Maple, but needs more care than Oak.
  
• Color: Natural walnut tones are warm and unique (Natural, Bel Air, Michael’s Cherry, Earthtone).
• Style: Stunning in both contemporary and classic furniture.