Apple Tree

Apple wood is the timber of the apple tree (Malus domestica), which belongs to the family Rosaceae. It is a hardwood from a fruit tree. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, Malus sieversii, is still found. The wild ancestor grows in the mountains of Central Asia, in southern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and northwestern China, and the domestic apple is cultivated worldwide. The apple tree is deciduous and generally stands from 2 to 4.5 metres tall in cultivation.

Wood and Working Properties

Apple wood has a Janka hardness of 1,730 lbf and an average dried weight of 830 kg/m³. Its modulus of rupture is 12,800 lbf/in² and its crushing strength is 6,030 lbf/in². The heartwood can vary from a light reddish or grayish brown to a deeper red/brown. The sapwood is a pale cream color. The grain is straight, though on some sections of the tree it can also be wild. The texture is very fine and uniform. The endgrain is diffuse-porous with distinct growth rings. Apple can be somewhat difficult to work due to its high density, and can burn easily when being machined. It glues, stains, finishes and turns well. Apple has a high shrinkage rate and experiences a large amount of seasonal movement in service. Shrinkage is 5.6% radial, 10.1% tangential and 17.6% volumetric. The heartwood is rated as non-durable against decay. The wood species is outside the CITES Appendices and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Uses

Common uses are fine furniture, tool handles, carving, mallet heads and turned items. Apple is seldom available in lumber form, and is usually seen only in very small sizes. It is likely to be rather expensive and is usually meant for small projects and specialized applications.

The Tree

The bark of the trunk is dark gray or gray-brown, while young branches are reddish or dark-brown with a smooth texture. The fruit is a pome that matures in late summer or autumn. Apples are self-incompatible and must cross-pollinate to develop fruit. Open apple blossoms are damaged by brief exposure to temperatures of -2 °C or less, although the overwintering wood and buds are hardy down to -40 °C.

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