Strongest or Hardest Wood Species in the World

The strength or hardness of a timber is one of the primary factors used to decide the other characteristics of the wood and for what purpose it can be used.

The stronger a wood, the more dense it is and the more likely it is to withstand high pressure. Generally, hardwoods are said to be stronger and more dense compared to softwoods, but that’s not always the case. Some softwoods or ‘hard softwoods’, as they are called commonly, also have higher density.

The Janka Hardness Scale is among the top tests used to determine the hardness and strength of a wood by applying considerable pressure on it. This helps builders and woodworkers select the right wood based on their specific hardness requirements.

If you are also a woodworker looking to determine the hardness when selecting wood to ensure the boards are good to withstand high wear & tear, here you can find information about the top wood species that are known to be the hardest among all.

Also Read: Mahogany Wood: Properties, Characteristics and Uses

Hardest Wood Species out there…

Ebony

Ebony is one of the hardest woods out there and has been rated as “very hard” on the Janka Hardness Scale. It is so dense that the wood easily sinks in the water. The wood is usually dark brown or black in color and has straight, fine grains with even texture. Because of the high density, Ebony is quite hard and has top durability rating in terms of decay resistance. It is, though, not easy to work with and is majorly used in making furniture and turned objects.

Oak

Oak is a hardwood that is known to be one of the cheapest hard wood species. It grows naturally in many places around the world, with America, Africa, Canada, etc. being the most common exporters. Because of the moderate hardness, oak is primarily used for building and construction work. Because of its dominant grains, Oak also makes a good choice for craftwork and furniture. Depending on the variant, the hue and color may vary from red to brown or light black.

Hickory

Hickory wood is harder than oak but not more than Ebony. It is readily available in many countries, including Africa. Depending on where you’re buying it from, the wood may be inexpensive to moderately expensive. Good “hard” rating makes Hickory suitable for a range of building projects, such as construction and furniture making, that require strong woods.

Lignum Vitae

Rated at 4,500 pounds-force (lbf) on the Janka scale, Lignum Vitae is one of the hardest woods known to man. The wood is exclusively found in Central and South America and is primarily used in projects that require great hardness, durability and wood density. It also goes well with turning wood projects. Because of its high water-resistance, Lignum Vitae is also used for making shaft bearings for submarines.

All the African hardwoods you can buy from a local wood seller in Cameroon, while for other global species, you can refer to the online wood seller database.