Wood comes in a wide variety of natural colours, ranging from light tans and browns to deeper reddish-browns and almost black. The specific colour of a piece of wood depends on the tree species it comes from and can provide clues as to its properties and typical uses. Understanding wood colours and names can be helpful when selecting lumber for projects.
The main factors that affect wood colour are the presence of certain chemicals within the tree itself. Extractives like lignin and tannins tend to produce darker heartwood colours, while the absence of these chemicals results in lighter sapwood shades. Grain patterns, mineral streaks, and aging effects like oxidation can also influence the final colour.
Common Wood Colour Names
Some of the most common names used to describe wood colours include:
| Tan | Light brownish yellow |
| Honey | Rich golden yellow brown |
| Butterscotch | Yellowish tan |
| Natural | Medium tan brown |
| Wheat | Straw-like yellow beige |
| Blond | Very light creamy brown |
| Chocolate | Rich reddish dark brown |
| Cinnamon | Warm reddish light brown |
| Russet | Grayish reddish brown |
| Chestnut | Reddish brown |
| Mahogany | Deep reddish brown |
| Walnut | Chocolate brown with grayish tones |
| Espresso | Very dark brown, nearly black |
These names are commonly used with stains and finishes to describe the intended effect on the wood’s natural colour. They may also be used in lumber descriptions along with species names, like “Honey Oak” or “Cherry Mahogany”.
Light Wood Colours
Light coloured woods range from pale yellows to light browns. These shades occur most often in sapwood, younger heartwood, and species with less extractive content. Some examples of typically light-coloured woods:
| Alder | Pale tan |
| Ash | Pale brown to tan |
| Basswood | Creamy white to pale brown |
| Beech | Pale tan |
| Birch | Pale yellow or brown |
| Elm | Tan to brown |
| Maple | Pale reddish brown |
| Poplar | White to pale yellow |
| Willow | White to light brown |
These woods are prized for their subtle and subdued grain patterns. Their light colours also make them suitable for bleaching or painting if an ultra-white appearance is desired.
Medium Wood Colours
The medium colour range covers woods with hues of reddish, golden, or medium brown. Many common furniture and flooring woods exhibit these warm, versatile medium tones. Some examples include:
| Cherry | Rich reddish brown |
| Walnut | Chocolatey medium brown |
| Oak | Tan to reddish brown |
| Chestnut | Grayish brown |
| Douglas fir | Reddish orange brown |
| Pine | Pale yellow to reddish brown |
| Cedar | Reddish or yellowish tan |
The appealing warmth and versatility of these woods has made them staples in construction, cabinets, furniture, and flooring. Their medium tones provide an excellent backdrop for stain colours.
Dark Wood Colours
The darkest wood colours range from reddish-browns to near black. These rich, dramatic shades occur in woods with high extractive content, mostly in the dense heartwood regions. Some of the principal dark-coloured woods are:
| Ebony | Deep blackish brown |
| Rosewood | Chocolate brown to purple-black |
| Walnut | Dark chocolate brown |
| Mahogany | Warm reddish brown |
| Wenge | Very dark brown, almost black |
| Teak | Golden or dark brown |
These woods make striking accents and statement pieces. The near-black shades also make attractive backgrounds for metal inlays and lighter decorative wood veneers.
Specialty Wood Colours
Beyond the basic light, medium, and dark categories, some woods have more unusual or distinctive colours. These specialty shades can be quite eye-catching and decorative. Some examples include:
| Purpleheart | Vibrant purple |
| Padauk | Rich orange-red |
| Bubinga | Deep reddish pink |
| Yellowheart | Bright golden yellow |
| Canarywood | Yellow streaked with brown |
| Bloodwood | Vivid red |
| Zebrawood | Golden with dark brown stripes |
These exotic specialty woods are prized for small accent items, inlays, and decorative veneers. Their vibrant hues can add dramatic pops of color to furniture and turning projects.
Natural vs. Stained Wood Colours
While the names referenced so far describe natural, unaltered wood colours, staining can modify a wood’s colour significantly. Some common stained wood colours include:
| Golden oak | Warm, orangey brown |
| Provincial | Golden yellow |
| Fruitwood | Pinkish reddish brown |
| Early American | Reddish brown |
| Dark walnut | Deep, chocolaty brown |
| Ebony | Very dark brown to black |
| Weathered Grey | Grayish driftwood tones |
| Whitewash | White paint-like look |
While staining overlaps with natural colours in some cases, like “ebony”, it opens up many more colour options. Staining also provides consistency in colour compared to the variability of natural wood.
Factors Affecting Wood Colour
Several key factors influence the colour of wood:
– **Tree species** – Each species produces its own distinct mix of chemicals like lignin, resulting in characteristic colours. These natural colours vary across sapwood, heartwood, and juvenile wood regions.
– **Extractives** – Higher natural extractive content (lignin, tannins, oils, etc.) results in richer, darker colours in heartwood. Sapwood is lighter due to less extractive accumulation.
– **Growth rate** – Faster growth typically means lighter colours. Slow-growth wood is usually denser and darker than fast-growth stock of the same species.
– **Oxidation** – Exposure of wood to oxygen causes chemical changes like oxidation of phenols, producing darker, yellower colours. Aged antique woods exhibit darkened colours.
– **Stainers** – Some fungal infections introduce pigments that stain the wood blue, black, or other colours. This can create ambrosia or spalting effects.
– **Knots** – The high lignin content of knots usually makes them appear darker than the surrounding clean wood.
– **Ray fleck** – The rays in some species like oak create flaky patterns which can look slightly lighter.
– **Mineral streaks** – Absorbed minerals like iron can leave grayish, bluish, or blackish streaks.
– **Weathering** – Extended exposure to light and weather causes gradual colour changes like graying of the surface.
Using Wood Colour Symbolism
Beyond their visual appeal, wood colours also have symbolic meanings and psychological associations. Some examples:
| White | Purity, innocence, cleanliness |
| Black | Power, elegance, mystery |
| Red | Energy, passion, love |
| Yellow | Happiness, optimism, warmth |
| Blue | Calm, tranquility, harmony |
| Green | Growth, renewal, health |
| Brown | Reliability, simplicity, nature |
Woodworkers can leverage these associations through deliberate colour choices and combinations in furniture, turning, carving, and other projects. Combining contrasting colours can create visual interest and convey meaning.
Conclusion
Wood covers the full spectrum of colour possibilities in its vast array of species. The specific chemicals present in each tree determine the characteristic colours – from nearly white sapwood to the deepest blackish heartwood. Colour names help describe the warm natural tones of woods as well as the effects of stains. An understanding of wood colours aids in selecting lumber for both beauty and optimal performance. Beyond aesthetics, wood colours also evoke symbolic meanings which woodworkers can use creatively. Whether building furniture or carving a decorative piece, the colours of wood add life, emotion, and meaning to craftsmanship.