Types of Trees Used to Make Plywood: A Comprehensive Guide

Plywood is one of the most versatile and widely used materials in construction, furniture making, cabinetry, and interior design. It’s a composite wood product made by gluing thin layers (or plies) of wood veneer together, with the grain of each layer typically running in different directions for added strength and stability. The type of tree used to produce plywood plays a crucial role in determining its durability, appearance, and cost.

In this blog post, we'll explore the different types of trees used to make plywood, highlighting the benefits of each and explaining how wood species affect the overall quality and application of the finished product.

1. Softwood Plywood: The Most Common Choice

Softwood plywood is typically made from trees such as pine, spruce, fir, and cedar. These trees are abundant, fast-growing, and provide a strong yet lightweight material that’s suitable for a variety of applications.

Common Softwood Species Used in Plywood

• Pine: One of the most popular softwood species for plywood, pine is lightweight, easy to work with, and affordable. It’s commonly used for furniture, construction, and sheathing.
• Douglas Fir: Known for its exceptional strength and stiffness, Douglas Fir plywood is often used in structural applications like flooring, roofing, and framing.
• Spruce: Spruce plywood is a versatile material that is often used in cabinetmaking and general woodworking. It has a light color and fine grain, making it aesthetically pleasing.
• Cedar: Cedar plywood is used primarily for its aromatic properties, often in outdoor projects, paneling, and decorative items.

Why Choose Softwood Plywood?

• Strength-to-weight ratio: Softwood plywood offers a good balance between strength and weight, making it ideal for structural uses.
• Cost-effective: Softwoods are fast-growing and widely available, which makes plywood made from these woods relatively inexpensive.
• Flexibility: Softwood plywood is available in various grades and finishes, allowing it to be tailored to specific projects.

2. Hardwood Plywood: Durable and Aesthetic

Hardwood plywood is made from trees that grow more slowly and are generally denser and harder than softwoods. Hardwood plywood is prized for its strength, durability, and natural beauty, making it a popular choice for high-end furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications.

Common Hardwood Species Used in Plywood

• Birch: Birch plywood is known for its smooth, even grain and is often used in fine furniture, cabinetry, and veneer applications. It has a light color that can take stains and finishes well.
• Oak: Oak plywood is strong, durable, and has a distinct grain pattern, making it ideal for furniture and flooring. It’s often used in traditional and rustic designs.
• Maple: Maple plywood is highly durable and has a clean, fine texture that works well for cabinets, furniture, and countertops.
• Cherry: Known for its rich, reddish-brown color, cherry plywood is used for high-end cabinetry, furniture, and decorative surfaces.
• Mahogany: Mahogany plywood is prized for its rich, dark color and fine grain, making it popular in luxury furniture and marine applications.

Why Choose Hardwood Plywood?

• Aesthetic appeal: Hardwood plywood is often selected for its attractive grain and ability to take on rich finishes.
• Durability: The dense structure of hardwood plywood provides superior resistance to wear and tear, making it ideal for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry that needs to last.
• Custom finishes: Hardwood plywood can be sanded and finished to a smooth, polished surface, making it a preferred option for projects requiring a high-quality appearance.

3. Tropical Plywood: Unique and Exotic

Tropical plywood is made from trees that grow in the tropical rainforests of Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. These plywoods are prized for their distinctive grain patterns and the unique characteristics of the tropical hardwood species.

Common Tropical Species Used in Plywood

• Teak: Teak plywood is known for its rich color and water resistance, making it a popular choice for marine and outdoor applications.
• Balsa: Balsa plywood is extremely lightweight and is often used in applications where weight is a critical factor, such as in model-making and lightweight furniture.
• Sapele: This African hardwood offers a beautiful reddish-brown color and is often used in high-end furniture and cabinetry.
• Mahogany (Tropical): Tropical mahogany is a much more robust material than its American counterpart and is often used in luxury furniture, cabinetry, and boat-building.

Why Choose Tropical Plywood?

• Unique aesthetics: The distinct grain patterns and rich colors of tropical plywood make it a desirable material for luxury and custom applications.
• Exceptional durability: Many tropical hardwoods are naturally resistant to moisture and pests, making tropical plywood an excellent choice for outdoor or marine environments.
• Environmental considerations: Some tropical woods are sourced from sustainable plantations or certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring responsible harvesting practices.

4. Engineered Plywood: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

While engineered plywood is not derived from a single tree species, it is worth mentioning as an innovative option that blends the qualities of both softwood and hardwood. Engineered plywood is produced using layers of various wood types, including both softwoods and hardwoods, to achieve specific characteristics, such as improved strength, resistance to warping, or better moisture resistance.

Why Choose Engineered Plywood?

• Customizable properties: By combining different wood types, manufacturers can create plywood with properties tailored to specific applications, such as enhanced water resistance, reduced weight, or increased strength.
• Sustainability: Engineered plywood can be made from fast-growing or sustainably harvested species, reducing the environmental impact compared to using solid hardwoods.
• Cost-effective: Engineered plywood can provide many of the benefits of hardwood while keeping costs lower by using more affordable base materials.

Conclusion

The type of tree used to make plywood plays a crucial role in determining its performance, appearance, and suitability for different projects. Softwood plywood, with its cost-effectiveness and versatility, is ideal for construction and general woodworking. Hardwood plywood offers unparalleled strength, durability, and beauty, making it perfect for high-end furniture and cabinetry. Meanwhile, tropical plywood brings unique aesthetics and resilience, particularly for specialized applications like boat-building and outdoor furniture.

When choosing plywood for your next project, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements—such as strength, weight, appearance, and cost—of your application. Whether you’re building a deck, crafting custom furniture, or designing a beautiful interior, understanding the different types of trees used to make plywood will help you make an informed decision and achieve the best possible results.