Trees that reach (or are close to) timber maturity in their first decade are known as high-growth rate trees.
These trees are important as they allow the timber supply to remain high, reducing the time it takes to harvest new specimens.
In addition, their timber is harvested on a sustainable basis, as these species are only grown in plantations intended for timber production.
This means that natural forests are not used, which helps to retain carbon dioxide and maintain the environmental balance.
Thus, it is possible to ensure that the supply of wood is not depleted.
So, if you want to know which tree species have the highest rate of depletion, read on.
The 6 trees with the highest growth rate
First of all, let’s clarify that a fast-growing tree, or a tree with a fast growth rate, is a plant that grows and matures naturally in a relatively short time.
This means that one of these trees can reach a felling or cutting height within 3 to 10 years, which is not long in terms of timber.
Remember that some trees, such as oak, can take decades to reach felling age.
In fact, the slowest-growing species are almost always the most expensive because they are so scarce.
Well, now let’s start with our list.
6. Black ash
Scientific name
Fraxinus nigra.
Growth rate
The black ash grows at a rate of 10 to 20 inches or 25.4 to 50.8 centimeters per year.
Location
This tree is native to North America and its presence is predominant in:
- The island of Newfoundland (east coast of Canada).
- The region of Manitoba (eastern Canada).
- The State of Illinois (central United States).
- The State of Virginia (east coast of the United States).
Overall
Unfortunately, black ash is a species currently critically endangered, which means that it could lose more than 80% of its total population in little more than 50 years.
The reason for this is the attack of a pest known as the emerald ash borer beetle (agrilus planipennis).
It is believed that this pest may have arrived in North America from Asia in the early 1990s but was only reported in the early 2000s.
The population of the beetle grew because it had no natural predators and this allowed it to attack several species native to the Americas, reducing numbers drastically.
How does this beetle attack?
The beetle deposits its eggs inside the tree trunk and once the larva is formed, it begins to devour the bark of the trunk.
The problem is that when the bark rots, the tree is exposed to moisture, which is the factor that most favors the appearance of fungi.
So, not only does the wood rot due to fungi, the lack of bark exposes the tree to attacks from other pests such as termites, and this eventually rots the wood of the tree until it dies.
In addition, it has been observed that this beetle has a preference for black ash, which has reduced its availability.
Black ash versus white ash
Although black ash has been widely used for timber purposes despite its scarcity, white ash enjoys the best reputation for its wood.
The reason is that white ash is slower growing and, remember, slow-growing trees often have the highest quality, as the extra time they take to mature is reflected in the production of denser, harder and stronger wood.
However, this doesn’t mean that Black Ash wood is of poor quality as it can in fact be used for a variety of purposes as we will see below.
Color
Sapwood
It can vary quite a lot in tone, but most of the time it has a very light brown or beige coloration.
Heartwood
Light brown, although sometimes there may be darker shades.
Workability
It is an easy wood to work with both hand and machine tools. It also produces very good finishes.
Price
Although the production of black ash has been affected, the supply has not decreased substantially and, therefore, it is one of the cheapest woods on the market in North America.
Uses
Black ash wood has several uses; among which we have:
- Floor manufacturing.
- Musical instrument manufacture (electric guitar bodies are made).
- Elaboration of baskets (objects to carry fruits or vegetables).
- Box production.
- Construction of handles for tools.
- Carving.
5. Hoop pine or Queensland pine
Scientific name
Araucaria cunninghamii.
Growth rate
The hoop pine grows between 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) and 24 inches (60.96 cm) per year approximately.
Location
This species is native to the oceanic continent and is found mainly along the coasts near the rainforests of eastern Australia and New Guinea.
Overall
This species is quite long-lived and can reach more than 400 years of age.
Also, the tree can reach up to 60 meters in height so it is usually a very good source of timber. In fact, this species is widely cultivated in industrial plantations.
Color
This wood has bluish-gray stains caused by some fungi.
However, some consider the stains to be of decorative value and prefer not to remove them.
Sapwood
Pale yellow is not easy to distinguish from heartwood.
Heartwood
Light brown with yellow or reddish hues.
Workability
This is a soft wood easy to work with both hand and machine tools.
Price
It can be higher than expected as it is rarely exported, i.e. most of the production is used locally in Oceania.
However, this species is expensive to produce, especially since the tree requires a lot of water and soil care.
Uses
The hoop pine is mainly used in:
- Joinery (construction of furniture for interiors).
- Production of plywood.
- Lathing.
- Production of handicrafts.
4. Black birch
Scientific name
Betula nigra.
Growth rate
Black birch can grow at a rate of 13 to 24 inches or 33.02 to 60.96 centimeters per year.
Location
This species is native to the eastern United States and is found predominantly in states such as:
- New Hampshire.
- Minnesota.
- Florida.
- Texas.
However, this tree can be found all over the country. It also grows near swampy areas.
Overall
This tree was formerly used for ornamental or decorative purposes, but in the last century, it has also been used as a timber species.
In fact, today it is one of the most widely used woods for plywood production.
In addition, black birch can reach an average height of 25 meters, although in some cases specimens up to 30 meters have been recorded they are quite rare.
Color
Sapwood
Pale yellow almost white.
Heartwood
Reddish brown.
Workability
In general terms, black birch is easy to work with. However, in some cases, it may crack when mechanical tools are used.
Otherwise, it has no other problems.
Price
The price of black birch wood is similar to that of woods such as maple or oak, i.e., it is not very expensive.
Uses
Among the most frequent uses for black birch wood we have:
- Production of plywood.
- Construction of doors.
- Box production.
- Lathing.
- Production of handicrafts.
3. European larch
Scientific name
Larix decidua.
Growth rate
The European larch grows between 12 and 22 inches or 30. 48 and 55. 88 centimeters per year.
Location
This species is native to the central-eastern region of Europe and is very common in countries such as:
- Poland.
- Lithuania.
- Czech Republic.
- Austria.
- Switzerland
- Slovakia.
- Hungary.
- Romania
- Serbia.
Also, the Larice is a tree that tolerates cold well and can withstand temperatures below -50 ℃.
Overall
The European larch can grow up to 55 meters in height. However, the average height of this species is no more than 25 meters.
Color
Sapwood
Very pale yellow almost white. It can be easily differentiated from heartwood.
Heartwood
Dark yellow can have reddish brown shades.
Workability
Larice wood is relatively easy to work with. However, it has a lot of resin, a chemical substance that serves to protect the tree from wounds caused by blows or pests.
Therefore, the problem is that this resin can cause mechanical saws not to work properly and not to cut the wood pieces well.
In addition, there can be inconveniences with the gluing and finishing of the pieces, but they are not serious.
Price
In Europe, Larice wood is an economical wood due to its abundance.
In areas such as North America, it can be a bit more expensive, although it is generally a very good and cheap alternative for construction purposes.
Uses
Larice wood is mainly used in:
- Structural construction (production of beams).
- Plywood production.
- Production of light poles.
- Elaboration of floors.
- Cooperage (creation of barrels to store alcoholic beverages such as wine or Whiskey).
- Boat construction.
2. Blackwood or Tasmanian Blackwood
Scientific name
Acacia Melanoxylon.
Growth rate
Black Acacia is estimated to have a growth rate of 12 to 22 inches or 30.40 to 55.88 centimeters per year.
Location
Another Australian species, the black Acacia is found in eastern Australia, as well as on the island of Tasmania.
However, it is possible to find this tree almost everywhere on the planet as it has been used as an ornamental species in:
- Africa.
- South America.
- South Asia.
Overall
The Australian blackwood can reach a height of up to 45 meters. In addition to this, it is characterized by its great resistance to different types of environments.
However, it thrives best in cold areas. In recent years it has been cataloged as an invasive species outside its natural habitat because it competes with native species for resources.
Blackwood is a species that needs a lot of water, so it tends to drain the soils where it grows of this liquid.
As a result, soils deteriorate and native species begin to die.
In addition, this tree was not considered a good source of timber for many years, but in recent years it has been promoted as an alternative for timber supply, especially in Australia.
The wood can be very durable and resistant when grown in a natural forest, although its quality may decrease somewhat when the wood is obtained from industrial plantation-grown trees.
Color
Despite its name, Tasmanian blackwood is not black, although it can become darker once treated.
Sapwood
Yellow.
Heartwood
Golden with some red tones.
Workability
Australian Blackwood is considered a very easy wood to work on despite its hard consistency.
There may be some sporadic difficulty with sawing, but other than that, it has no extra disadvantages.
Price
Contrary to what one would expect from a relatively abundant species on the planet, Australian Acacia timber is not economical outside Australia.
This is because Acacia grown in Australia is often of better quality.
In addition, this wood is even more expensive when sold as plywood.
Uses
The Australian blackwood is mainly used in:
- Plywood production.
- Joinery.
- Construction of musical instruments.
- Manufacture of butts for firearms.
- Lathing.
- Handicrafts.
1. Bald cypress or swamp cypress
Scientific name
Taxodium distichum
Growth rate
The Bald Cypress has an annual growth rate of 15 to 25 inches or 38.1 to 63.5 centimeters.
In contrast, to give you an idea of how fast this tree grows keep in mind that some slow-growing species can grow up to 15 centimeters a year.
Location
This species is native to the southeast region of the United States. However, it can also be found in other regions of the country.
Likewise, Bald Cypress has large populations in states such as:
- Louisiana.
- South Carolina.
- Illinois.
- Mississippi.
- Florida.
- Texas.
Note: Although we say that the Swamp Cypress is originally an American species, it is believed to have been introduced to the New Continent by European settlers in the 17th century.
Overall
The Swamp Cypress can reach a height of up to 40 meters and thrives very well in sunny places with swampy soils (hence its name).
This wood resists the effects of humidity and weathering very well.
Note: Bald Cypress wood is considered a sensitizing agent, this means that if you are exposed to the dust of this wood while working with it, you may have an allergic reaction that will worsen the more exposures you have.
So be careful when working with the wood and always use hand, eye, and nose protection.
Color
Sapwood
Very light yellow almost white.
Heartwood
Yellow, but after being treated it usually acquires a very striking golden color.
Workability
Cypress wood is easy to work with as it is light and soft.
Therefore, it is advisable to use light tools when working with it as ordinary tools can crack the material.
Also, those tools should be very sharp as it is known that the wood can be a bit difficult to cut on the edges.
This wood also gives very good finishes and works very well with most glues available on the market.
Price
This wood is not yet very popular outside the United States.
Bald Cypress Lumber ranges
There are different market ranges for this wood, for instance, if used for the production of plywood. We would be talking about a high-end wood that is more expensive.
On the contrary, if this wood is used as a construction material, its prices may decrease, that is to say, this is a mid-range wood.
However, the functional quality in both ranges is the same, what changes is the aesthetics of the wood since the high range presents more intense and striking shades.
Uses
The wood of the Cypress of the swamps is predominantly used in:
- Exterior carpentry.
- Outdoor furniture.
- Shipbuilding (manufacture of ports and docks).
- Elaboration of boats (canoes).
- Plywood production.