Wood comparisons by project

The best wood depends on what you’re building. These head-to-head comparisons weigh two woods for one specific project, so you get a clear answer instead of a generic spec sheet.

• White Oak or Red Oakfor a dining table
• White Oak or Red Oakfor outdoor furniture
• Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) or Soft Maplefor a cutting board
• Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) or Black Walnutfor a cutting board
• Black Walnut or Black Cherryfor a dining table
• Black Walnut or Mahoganyfor a jewelry or keepsake box
• White Oak or Black Walnutfor a dining table
• Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) or Black Cherryfor a cutting board
• Red Oak or White Ashfor a bookshelf or shelving
• Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) or Yellow Birchfor a cabinet or built-in
• Western Red Cedar or Redwoodfor outdoor furniture
• Eastern White Pine or Yellow Poplarfor a drawer
• Hickory or White Oakfor a chair or stool
• Black Cherry or Black Walnutfor a jewelry or keepsake box