Close-grained Wood

Close-grained wood, also called fine-grained wood, is any wood in which the annual rings in the wood are tight or close. When close-grained wood is cut into lumber, it has the appeal of being smooth and without the irregular characteristics of wide grained woods.

Each has its desirable qualities, but close-grained wood has the characteristic of taking stain very well without showing great differences in the overall look of the stain application. Close-grained wood is less apt to have splinters.

Close-grained Wood for Carving

Close-grained wood is often used in carving, since the tightness of the grain allows for fine detail and an overall smooth and even surface. In carving with a wood that has a wider grain, the carver can often find the grain to split in an undesirable place, ruining the carving. Close-grained wood usually prevents this from happening.

Popular Types of close-grained Wood

Some well-known types of close grained wood are:

• Basswood
• Boxwood
• Douglas fir
• Sitka Spruce
• Maple
• Alder
• Italian Walnut