If a species is not footnoted with a number (1-18), then the specific gravity for that species has not been verified by Wagner. In most cases, with unverified species, these species have the same botanical name as the verified version but just a different common name. Many species (botanical name) in the world have many different common names. The footnote descriptions are shown at the bottom of the page.*

Wood Species Types in Alphabetical Order

To obtain the most accurate moisture content measurements with your Wagner moisture meter, you must set the meter for the correct species settings value for the species you are going to measure. For our customers' convenience, we have calibrated our meter's species settings in terms of specific gravity.*

For those instances where you need to measure moisture in a wood species that is not shown in your User’s Manual, Wagner has compiled this extensive database of wood species with their associated specific gravity values.

The sources for our database include the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory.

The published specific gravity values are the average for each species. There can and will be some variability of the specific gravity (density) within any species of wood, but the average specific gravity value (again, from the most valid published sources) will provide the best settings for your Wagner moisture meter.

Common NameBotanical NameSpecific GravityVerified
E. African black camphorwoodOcotea comoriensis0.51
EasExcoecaria agallocha0.42
East African afzeliaAfzelia quanzensis0.62
East African cypressCupressus sempervirens0.42
Khaya nyassica0.44
East African OliveOlea hochstetteri0.8110
East African silky oakGrevillea robusta0.54
Larix laricina0.53

East indian ebony

Diospyros ebenaster

0.614
Diospyros ebenum0.94
East Indian ebonyDiospyros inclusa0.7014
East Indian ebonyDiospyros melanoxylon0.67
East Indian ebonyDiospyros mindanaensis0.7814
East Indian ebonyDiospyros pyrrhocarpa0.6914
Pterocarpus indicus0.57
East Indian satinwoodChloroxylon swietenia0.88
East London boxwoodGonioma kamassi0.85
Thuja occidentalis0.31
Juglans nigra0.55
Larix laricina0.53
Eastern Canadian SprucePicea glauca0.363
Eastern cedarThuja occidentalis0.31
Eastern cottonwoodPopulus deltoides0.401
Abies balsamea0.35
Eastern hemlockTsuga canadensis0.401
Eastern hophornbeamOstrya virginiana0.703
Larix laricina0.53
Populus deltoides0.40
Eastern redcedarJuniperus virginiana0.471
Eastern SprucePicea glauca0.363
Picea mariana0.42
Picea rubens0.40
Juglans nigra0.55
Thuja occidentalis0.31
Eastern White PinePinus strobus0.351
Thuja occidentalis0.31
Prioria copaifera0.42
EbaLophira alata0.94
EbaMitragyna stipulosa0.53
Ebano verdeTabebuia serratifolia0.994
Diospyros ebenum0.94
EbarMitragyna stipulosa0.53
EbbaLophira alata0.94
EbeCordia platythyrsa0.39
EbenMitragyna ciliata0.52
EbenMitragyna stipulosa0.53
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Ebene vertTabebuia serratifolia0.994
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
EbiTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EbiaraBerlinia acuminata0.64
EboDipteryx odorata0.82
Pometia pinnata0.60
Ebone plaqueminierDiospyros ebenaster0.614
Diospyros ebenum0.94
Ebony persimmonDiospyros ebenaster0.614
Diospyros ebenum.94
Ebony persimmonDiospyros inclusa0.7014
Ebony persimmonDiospyros melanoxylon0.67
Ebony persimmonDiospyros mindanaensis0.7814
Ebony persimmonDiospyros pyrrhocarpa0.6914
EbornzorkMammea africana0.69
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Echites mahagoniSwietenia mahagoni0.57
Ecuador laurelCordia alliodora0.51
EdelMangifera indica0.53
Castanea sativa0.51
EdinamTieghemella heckelii0.60
Terminalia superba0.40
EdumoiTieghemella heckelii0.60
Prunus serotina0.50
EfokPterygota bequaertii0.53
EfremeliTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EgbesuMusanga cecropioides0.23
Terminalia superba0.40
EgeunMusanga cecropioides0.23
Egg fruitPouteria pomifera0.84
EghoinmebbiTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Eghoin-nebiTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EgimamfukMusanga cecropioides0.23
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Terminalia superba0.40
Terminalia superba0.40
Terminalia superba0.40
Egoyn odanTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Egoyne lukanTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Egoyne nebiTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Egoyne-lukanTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Egoyne-nebiTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Egoyn-odanTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EguiMusanga cecropioides0.23
EguniMusanga cecropioides0.23
EgunliMusanga cecropioides0.23
EhIntsia bijuga0.65
EhieGuibourtia ehie0.714
EhyeduaDaniella thurifera0.46
Quercus robur0.57
Quercus robur0.57
EisAlnus glutinosa0.41
Terminalia superba0.40
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
EkhimiPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
EkhiviPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
EkkiLophira alata0.94
EkomPoga oleosa0.39
EkombaMusanga cecropioides0.23
EkomboMusanga cecropioides0.23
EkopStaudtia stipitata0.79
Ekop eveneBrachystegia laurentii0.57
Ekop leleBrachystegia laurentii0.57
Ekop zingDidelotia brevipaniculata0.54
Ekor belangkasEndospermum macrophyllum0.41
EkouneCephalosphaera usambarensis0.44
EkpogiBerlinia acuminata0.64
ElaePiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
ElakCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
ElanyPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
ElebaLophira alata0.94
ElelomMitragyna ciliata0.52
Elelom n'zameMitragyna ciliata0.52
Elelome n'zameMitragyna ciliata0.52
ElelonMitragyna ciliata0.52
ElilomMitragyna stipulosa0.53
Pinus Elliottii0.59
EllongryphoPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
EllongryphoPeltogyne venosa0.69
ElmUlmus alata0.65
Ulmus americana0.50
ElmUlmus campestris0.5213
ElmUlmus crassifolia0.62
ElmUlmus glabra0.53
ElmUlmus procera0.5313
Ulmus rubra0.53
Ulmus thomasii0.63
ElolomMitragyna ciliata0.52
ElowaChlorophora excelsa0.70
ElsAlnus glutinosa0.41
EluaChlorophora excelsa0.70
EluiChlorophora excelsa0.70
ElupaBassia latifolia0.82
EmangChlorophora excelsa0.70
EmberoLovoa trichiliodes0.46
EmboraMelia azedarach0.51
Amburana cearensis0.58
EmenTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EmeriTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EmeriVochysia hondurensis0.52
EmeryVochysia hondurensis0.52
EmilTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EmineTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EmolaOxystigma oxyphyllum0.53
EmoliOxystigma oxyphyllum0.53
EmoloOxystigma oxyphyllum0.53
EmoryVochysia hondurensis0.52
EmpasKoompassia malaccensis0.76
EmriTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EmyuPoga oleosa0.39
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Encens rougeTetragastris altissima0.74
Quercus alba0.68
Quercus bicolor0.72
Quercus coccinea0.67
Quercus macrocarpa0.64
Quercus michauxii0.67
Quercus palustris0.63
EncinoQuercus petraea0.65
Quercus stellata0.67
Quercus velutina0.61
EncinoQuercus virginiana0.84
Quercus alba0.68
Quercus bicolor0.72
Quercus coccinea0.67
Quercus macrocarpa0.64
Quercus michauxii0.67
Quercus palustris0.63
Encino negroQuercus petraea0.65
Quercus stellata0.67
Quercus velutina0.61
Encino negroQuercus virginiana0.84
Terminalia superba0.40
Endra-endraHumbertia madagascariensis1.18
EnduiLophira alata0.94
EndwiLophira alata0.94
EngDipterocarpus basilanicus0.54
EngDipterocarpus grandiflorus0.68
EngDipterocarpus warburgii0.53
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
Engelmann sprucePicea engelmannii0.351
EnggarisKoompassia malaccensis0.76
EnggerisKoompassia malaccensis0.76
English ashFraxinus excelsior0.5814
English beechFagus sylvatica0.6713
English birchBetula sp.0.61
English brown oakQuercus petraea0.65
Prunus avium0.58
Castanea dentata0.43
English elmUlmus campestris0.5213
English elmUlmus procera0.5313
English harewoodAcer pseudoplatanus0.5713
Acer pseudoplatanus0.57
English oakQuercus petraea0.65
English oakQuercus robur0.5716
English planePlatanus hybrida0.59
EnoiPoga oleosa0.39
EnoupouMitragyna ciliata0.52
EntenamAnisoptera costata0.52
EntuyutTetramerista glabra0.73
Microberlinia brazzavillensis0.77
EnwanLophira alata0.94
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
EpepeTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EpiCedrela huberi0.404
EpiCedrela odorata0.394
EpiCedrela toona0.47
Abies grandis0.37
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
EpoukouMitragyna ciliata0.52
ErableAcer campestre0.55
EranPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
EreruPlanchonella euphlebia0.89
ErleAlnus glutinosa0.41
ErunduPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
Prunus serotina0.50
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
EsemiTerminalia amazonia0.76
EsemiTerminalia arjuna0.71
EsemiTerminalia ivorensis0.54
EsemiTerminalia procera0.54
EsireLophira alata0.94
EsoreLophira alata0.94
EspatodeaSpathodea campanulata0.25
EspaveAnacardium excelsum0.33
EspavelAnacardium excelsum0.33
Espavel amarilloAnacardium excelsum0.33
Espavel rosadoAnacardium excelsum0.33
Populus tremuloides0.38
Plathymenia reticulata0.56
EssabenBerlinia acuminata0.64
EssaiMansonia altissima0.55
EssouleBerlinia acuminata0.64
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
EtekeleDrypetes gossweileri0.63
Eti-ayipMitragyna stipulosa0.53
EtuIrvingia gabonensis0.76
EtueIrvingia gabonensis0.76
EucalyptusEucalyptus citriodora0.65
EucalyptusEucalyptus grandis0.85
EucalyptusEucalyptus obliqua0.6814
European alderAlnus glutinosa0.41
European ashFraxinus excelsior0.5814
European aspenPopulus tremula0.42
European beechFagus sylvatica0.6713
European birchBetula sp.0.61
European boxwoodBuxus sempervirens0.8313
European cherryPrunus avium0.5813
Castanea dentata0.43
European chestnutCastanea sativa0.5113
European hornbeamCarpinus betulus0.61
European horse chestnutAesculus hippocastanum0.39
European larchLarix decidua0.4814
European limeTilia vulgaris0.5113
European mapleAcer campestre0.55
European mapleAcer platanus0.54
Acer pseudoplatanus0.57
European oakQuercus petraea0.65
European oakQuercus robur0.5716
European planePlatanus hybrida0.59
European sprucePicea abies0.43
European walnutJuglans regia0.5616
Quercus robur0.57
European whitewoodPicea abies0.43
European yewTaxus baccata0.6313
Fraxinus excelsior0.58
Evergreen chinkapinCastanopsis acuminatissima0.56
Magnolia grandiflora0.50
EweMitragyna stipulosa0.53
Ewe aiyeMorus mesozygia0.71
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
EyanLovoa trichiliodes0.46
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64

Footnotes:

1Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook @ 12% MC values
2Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner
3Forest Products Laboratory Techsheets Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner
4WoodWorkersSource Wood Library Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner
5We included Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii) Coast (.48)*, Interior West (.50)*, Interior North (.48)*, Interior South (.46)* to come up with an average SG of (.48)* *“Coast type Douglas-fir is defined as Douglas-fir growing in the States of Oregon and Washington west of the summit of the Cascade Mountains. Interior West includes the State of California and all counties in Oregon and Washington east of but adjacent to the Cascade summit. Interior North includes the remainder of Oregon and Washington and the States of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.” Specific Gravity resources: * Wood Handbook page 5-7
6According to USDA Forest Service, Forest Product Laboratory, Wood Handbook 2-8, Hard maple includes sugar maple (Acer saccharum) (.63)* and black maple (A. nigrum) (.57)*.
7According to USDA Forest Service, Forest Product Laboratory, Techsheets, Red Ash includes these three subspecies Fraxinus americana (.60)*, Fraxinus pennsylvanica (.56)*, Fraxinus profunda (.51)*
8According to USDA Forest Service, Forest Product Laboratory, Wood Handbook page 2-8, Soft maple includes silver maple (Acer saccharinum) (.47)*, red maple (A. rubrum) (.54)*, bigleaf maple (A.macrophyllum) (.48)*, and boxelder (A. negundo) (.45)** Specific Gravity resources:
* Wood Handbook page 5-5
** Forest Product Laboratory Techsheet
9According to the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) the four main subspecies that make up the SYP category are: Longleaf, Shortleaf, Loblolly and Slash pines. The SYP mix setting (.56) was determined by taking the average of Longleaf (.59)*, Shortleaf (.51)*, Loblolly (.51)* and Slash pines (.59)* Specific Gravity resources: * Wood Handbook page 5-7 & page 5-8
10 Forest Products Laboratory Techsheets Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner applying an acceptable volumetric shrinkage approximation per USDA GTR FPL-GTL-76
11 According to Forest Products Laboratory Techsheets Guatambu grown in *Brazil has a higher specific gravity then for **Argentinean material. *Guatambu (Brazil) (Balfourodendron riedelianum)(.79) Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner. **Guatambu (Argentinean) (Balfourodendron riedelianum)(.70) Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner.
12Forest Products Laboratory Techsheets Calculated from Dry (0%) MC values by Wagner applying an acceptable volumetric shrinkage approximation per USDA GTR FPL-GTL-76
13WoodWorkersSource Wood Library Calculated from Dry (0%) MC values by Wagner applying an acceptable volumetric shrinkage approximation per USDA GTR FPL-GTL-76
14WoodWorkersSource Wood Library Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner applying an acceptable volumetric shrinkage approximation per USDA GTR FPL-GTL-76
15WoodWorkersSource Wood Library Calculated from Dry (0%) MC values by Wagner
16The Wood Database Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner
17The Wood Database Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner applying an acceptable volumetric shrinkage approximation per USDA GTR FPL-GTL-76
18Tropicaltimber Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner applying an acceptable volumetric shrinkage approximation per USDA GTR FPL-GTL-76
19According to Forest Products Laboratory Techsheets Goncalo Alves grown in *Honduras and Venezuela has a higher specific gravity then for **Brazil and Colombia material. *Goncalo Alves (Honduras and Venezuela) (Astronium graveolens)(.89) Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner. **Goncalo Alves (Brazil and Colombian) (Astronium graveolens)(.80) Calculated from Green MC values by Wagner.
 
 
* Legal disclaimer:

Wagner has compiled species’ average specific gravity (SG) values (wood volume at 12% moisture content (MC) and oven-dry weight) from industry-accepted 3rd-party sources (USDA Forest Products Laboratory as an example) and provides this list for free with no implied warranty. Where an SG value listed in Wagner Meters’ manuals or website has been verified by Wagner, this is indicated as such, and not indicated as verified if a verification process has not been completed by Wagner for that species. Wagner is not responsible for any 3rd-party oversights or errors in their (the 3rd-parties) published SG values.

Where no published average SG value could be found for a species for the wood volume at 12% MC and oven-dry weight basis, Wagner has derived the proper SG value through a robust algorithm (see detailed explanation below under the heading ‘Specific Gravity (SG) Values of Wood and Their Referenced Moisture Content’).
 


 
Specific Gravity (SG) Values of Wood and Their Referenced Moisture Content

 

Wagner Meters’ moisture meters’ species settings are calibrated to wood samples that are at a nominal 12% moisture content (MC). It should also be recognized that the measurement accuracy of non-pin wood moisture meters is almost solely dependent on wood density; that is because wood species that have differing wood density but the same absolute amount of water will have different MC values because the definition of MC is the ratio of water weight to wood weight. Some online and other technical references that cite specific gravity (SG) values for different wood species list the SG when the wood is a different MC other than 12%. For example, some SG values listed are the values when the wood is dried all the way down to where the MC is actually zero. Other listed values are when the wood is “green” at perhaps 80% MC or even higher.

The reason that it matters what the MC was when the SG was determined is that the volume of a wood sample will shrink when it is dried down from high MC values to lower MC values. So as the volume of the wood sample shrinks, the density (SG) of the wood increases because the formula for the wood density is the weight of the wood sample divided by the volume of the wood sample, or more simply the ratio of the weight of the wood to its volume. As the weight stays the same during shrinkage, the volume decreases. Online and other references will not only provide SG values at some specific MC but also their “shrinkage ratio”. The shrinkage ratio is defined to be the percent of the volume of the wood that shrinks per decrease in MC value. For instance, one might see a 2% shrinkage ratio which means that for every 1% drop in MC the wood will shrink by 2% of its volume.

Wagner chose to calibrate its meters at a nominal 12% MC because this is close to where most wood will be in service and will be measured by our meters. Therefore we publish SG values for wood species to be used by our meters that correlate to a 12% MC value. Since online and other references publish SG values at sometimes 0% MC or “green” MC, you will often see different values online than what we publish. We correct these published values by applying correction factors based on MC at referenced SG values and shrinkage ratio published values. It should be noted that a wood sample will not begin shrinking significantly until the MC drops below fiber saturation point, which is generally between 28% and 32%, so we use 30% as the average fiber saturation point.

As an example, let’s say we have a published SG value of 0.50 referenced to 0% MC with a shrinkage ratio of 0.1% of volume per percent MC. We want to convert to an SG value referenced to 12% MC. A sample at 12 % MC will be 1.2% larger in volume (swells 12 * 0.1%). Since 0.50 equals the weight of the sample divided by volume, we now know the volume will actually be 1.2% larger, so the SG should be adjusted by a factor of 1 divided by (1 + 1.2%) or 1 divided by (1.012) = 0.50/1.012 = 0.49). So, in this specific case, the 12 % MC referenced SG value will be slightly less than the published value referenced at 0% MC.