Apple wood, similar to cherry wood but much harder

The wood of fruit trees is not only valued for smoking meat or fish. The colour, the design, the fine grain make the wood of the trees to create special projects, very appreciated. This is also the case with apple wood. It is not a cultivated species for wood and is therefore rarely found in carpentry. It is highly prized by master carpenters who are delighted when they get their hands on a larger piece that can be used for more special furniture. And because it's so popular I decided to complete the series Wood species dedicating an article to apple wood.

Apple, fruit tree

The scientific name of the apple is Malus spp (Malus domestica, Malus comunis, Malus sylvestris, Malus pumila, etc.)It is thought to originate in the area from the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Central Asia to Pakistan and western China. More than 25 species of apple grow wild in this area. The first cultivated varieties were created by natural hybridisation of these varieties. There is documentation that the apple was cultivated in the Roman Empire as early as 6000 years ago.

The apple is part of the Rosaceae. There are a lot of cultivated varieties that are adapted so that they don't grow very big, but give a high production of apples. However, there are also wild or orchard-grown apples that can reach up to 10-12 m in height, with trunk diameters of 0.3-0.5 m, rarely even up to 0.8 m.

The apple has a strong, woody and very branched root, fixing the tree very well in the ground. The oval, drooping leaves are shiny on the front and have bristles on the back to protect them from drying out. The flowers are pinkish-white, appear before the leaves and are caught several together. The fruit is a rounded pod (false drupe), slightly flattened, dark red to green coloured, fleshy and protected by a natural wax-coated skin. Inside there is a four-chambered elbow in which the seeds are found.

Characteristics of apple wood

Apple wood is similar cherry as fibre, but it is darker, denser and tougher. In cross-section, the sapwood and heartwood areas are clearly defined. The sapwood is light yellowish white and the heartwood can vary from light red to reddish brown. Sometimes darker or lighter coloured stripes, similar to olive wood.

The fibre can be both straight and homogeneous and twisted and wild. When the texture is smooth and uniform it resembles cherry wood very well. Pores are small and very small with a tendency to accumulate in the early wood area. The annual rings are very distinct, but the medullary rays are not visible to the naked eye.

Unlike cherry wood, apple wood is much denser (average density of dry wood: about 830 kg/m³) and therefore harder to process and requires very sharp tools. Sometimes, being so hard, it can burn during processing. It gives off a very pleasant sweet smell when processed. Also because of its high density it burns hard and slow, but gives off a lot of heat and a pleasant smell. The pleasant smell makes it a popular wood for smoking meats. More information about using wood for smoking can be found at here.

Apple wood drying is more difficult and can reach a loss rate of 50% due to cracking. It is very sensitive to variation in air humidity with a high rate of shrinkage and expansion. It is not recommended for outdoor use because it is not rot resistant. It processes very well by turning, glues smoothly and finishes very well with waxes and oils. Sometimes it does not stain very well because, due to its high density, it absorbs stain very badly.

Uses of apple wood

Apple wood is not used in factories. It is used because the tree is old and no longer bears fruit, or because it gets in the way and has to be cut down. But when it gets into the hands of a skilled carpenter with a love of working with wood, it can do extraordinary things. It can be used to make furniture, bowls, tool tails, musical wind instruments or small decorative objects.

It carves well and can be used to make spoons used in the kitchen. In fact, it is said that the best wood for such kitchen utensils is fruit tree wood because it retains a pleasant smell. The pleasant smell makes it suitable for use in smoking processes and it is sold in chip form. Although it gives off heat and keeps burning for a long time, it is rarely used as firewood because it is more valuable for other projects. It only ends up on the fire if it has large defects or cannot be used otherwise.

Being very hard, it is also used to make the heads of wooden hammers, those used in carving or where a more delicate intervention is needed.

If you have also used apple wood to make various objects, share your experience with us. And if you have any questions or queries, leave them below in the dedicated space. I will certainly answer them.