Construction

Natural Cherry	Black Cherry - Prunus Serotina Cherry is possibly the most desired hardwood for furniture. The nicest cherry is found in Western Pennsylvania. It has a very light salmon color when first cut; however, it will darken noticeably as it ages, especially in the first several years. Cherry is highly prized for its almost perfect grain pattern. It is a very consistent wood that accepts stain with very little blotchiness. In the past number of years demand has risen greatly because of a growing export market to Asia. As demand has increased so has the price, causing many furniture manufacturers to switch to cherry veneers (a process where a thin sheet of actual cherry wood is glued over a wood of lesser value or quality, which in some cases may not be solid wood at all). Another method is to use another lesser quality wood and stain it with a dark finish and call it a "cherry finish". That is not the case at Alegacy Furniture! When we say cherry, we mean true, solid Pennsylvania cherry. No substitutes or cheap veneers. Black Cherry rates at 950 on the Janka Hardness Scale For other cherry finishes see Finish Choices.
Natural Elm	American Elm - Ulmus Americana The American Elm Tree used to be very common until the early 1930's. Around that time they were attacked by a deadly fungus that became known as the Dutch Elm Disease. It was accidentally introduced into America by the elm bark beetle which proceded to infect and destroy millions of elm trees. In recent years new varieties have been introduced that have higher resistance to the disease. The wood of the American Elm tree has a very interesting grain pattern revealing its intertwining fibers. The American Elm tree is known for its attractive umbrella shape and can grow up to 115' high. Elm lumber ranks at 830 on the Janka Hardness Scale.
Natural Quartersawn White Oak	White Oak - Quercus Alba The White Oak is not as common as the Northern Red Oak tree. It has a light gray bark and the wood is whiter in color than the Red Oak tree. The White Oak tree is one of the largest trees in the Northeastern United States. It can grow to a height of up to 100' high. It is an excellent wood for flooring and for furniture because of its durability. When cut using the quartersawn method, the wood has a very pronounced ray flake or tiger stripe that gives it a very desirable grain pattern. Quartersawn white oak was the wood of choice for many of the Arts and Crafts craftsman during the latter part of the 1800's and the early part of the 1900's. It is a very hard, durable wood that rates 1360 on the Janka Hardness Scale
Natural Red Oak	Northern Red Oak - Quercus Rubra The Red Oak tree is probably the most commonly found hardwood tree in the Northeastern United States. It is known for its distinctive open grain pattern and durability as well as being the most inexpensive of the hardwoods because of its high availability. It is relatively easy to finish and has a consistent grain pattern. Northern Red Oak rates 1290 on the Janka Hardness Scale. See Finish Choices for more finish options on Red Oak.
Natural Hard Maple	Hard Maple -Acer Saccharum Hard Maple is also known as Hard Rock Maple and Sugar Maple. It comes primarily from Northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada. Hard Maple lumber is known for its whitish/tan color that can also have a slight tinge of yellow. It finishes with a very smooth texture and is also very durable. Hard Maple has been a favorite of furniture craftsmen since the early days of Colonial America. It was also used during that time to make the heels of the women's shoes. Hard Maple rates at 1450 on the Janka Hardness Scale.
Natural Hickory	Hickory Hickory is an Appalachian hardwood coming from the species Carya. It is the strongest, hardest, heaviest, and most durable of the Appalachian hardwoods. Hickory lumber has a lot of light and dark grain, giving it a rustic look that is ideal for cabins and rustic room settings. It hardness makes it ideal for flooring and furniture. Hickory is also used for handles, doors, and turnings. Some of the early Windsor chairs had hickory bows. The bow was very small and the only wood that had the strength for the small size was hickory. The wagon trains that headed west also used hickory for the wheels of their wagons because of its durability. Hickory rates 1820 on the Janka Hardness Scale.