Muzzle Blasts Online
January 1997	Volume 2, Number 1

Ramrod Rights and Wrongs

by Fred Stutzenberger

TABLE 1
Comparison of load-bearing capacities* of selected native American woods.
Common names of tree species strength	Maximum crushing (PSI/lb)	Maximum shearing strength (PSI/lb)	Modulus of elasticity**
Hardwoods
Ash, black	5970	1570	1.60
Ash, white	7410	1910	1.74
Beech	7300	2010	1.72
Birch, yellow	8170	1880	2.01
Cherry, black	7110	1130	1.49
Elm, American	5520	1510	1.34
Elm, rock	7050	1920	1.54
Hickory, pignut	9190	1980	2.26
Hickory, shagbark	9210	2430	2.16
Locust, black	10180	2480	2.05
Maple, red	6540	1850	1.64
Maple, sugar	7830	2330	1.83
Oak, southern red	6090	1390	1.49
Oak, white	7440	2000	1.78
Walnut, black	7580	1370	1.68
Softwoods
Cedar, Port Orford	6250	1370	1.70
Fir, Douglas***	6230	1510	1.49
Hemlock, mountain	6440	1540	1.33
Pine, loblolly	7130	1390	1.79
Pine, longleaf	8470	1510	1.98
Pine, slash	8140	1680	1.98

* data from ``Wood Handbook'', published in 1987 by the Forest Products Laboratory, U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Washington, DC 20402.

** Modulus of elasticity is defined as the ratio between the load applied per unit area and the deformation caused by that load.

*** values are for trees harvested from Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico; fir trees grown in coastal areas have far less load-bearing capacity.