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
KaCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
Ka RonkoTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Ka Thang HanCalophyllum inophyllum0.55
Ka Thang HanCalophyllum tomentosum0.59
Ka Thang LanCalophyllum inophyllum0.55
Ka Thang LanCalophyllum tomentosum0.59
Kaapse BoekenhoutRapanea melanophleos0.74
Ka-ArVitex cofassus0.67
Kabaak KhokAnisoptera costata0.52
Kabaak ThongAnisoptera curtisii0.52
KabanAnisoptera costata0.52
Kaban KaunghmuAnisoptera costata0.52
Kaban KaunghmuAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Kaban-KaunghmuAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Ka-BariPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
KaboingIntsia bijuga0.65
Pometia pinnata0.60
KabolXanthophyllum excelsum0.67
KacheinMelia azedarach0.51
KadambMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KadaniMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KaddamMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KadialaMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KadirErythrophloeum densiflorum0.68
KadwarMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KaemMitragyna parvifolia0.59
Kagu PengiranAnisoptera curtisii0.52
KaikumbaMammea africana0.69
KaimMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KaitanaZanthoxylum rhetsa0.56
Pterocarpus angolensis0.59
Kajanna ManjaMangifera indica0.53
Pterocarpus angolensis0.59
Pterocarpus angolensis0.59
Kajoe BesiIntsia bijuga0.65
Pometia pinnata0.60
KajoewaballiCatostemma fragrans0.66
KakanAnisoptera costata0.52
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
KakaralliEschweilera sagotiana0.90
Diospyros ebenum0.94
KakendePterygota bequaertii0.53
KakendePterygota macrocarpa0.54
KakeralliEschweilera sagotiana0.90
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
KakuLophira alata0.94
KalaiAlbizia procera0.55
KalamMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KalamansanaiAnisoptera curtisii0.52
KalamatauErythrophloeum densiflorum0.68
Pometia pinnata0.60
KalampeHeritiera javanica0.65
Cedrela odorata0.39
Shorea negrosensis0.59
KalekSyzygium buettnerianum0.73
KaleliAleurites moluccana0.14
KaliAningeria altissima0.42
KaliAningeria dombeyi0.39
KaliAningeria robusta0.42
Shorea negrosensis0.59
KalibaMusanga cecropioides0.23
KalingagCinnamomum camphora0.38
KalkilingiCedrela toona0.47
KallainCupressus torulosa0.47
KallamMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KalmMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KalumanogKoordersiodendron pinnatum0.71
Kalumpang AsokHeritiera javanica0.65
KamagongDiospyros ebenaster0.614
KamagongDiospyros inclusa0.7014
KamagongDiospyros melanoxylon0.67
KamagongDiospyros mindanaensis0.7814
KamagongDiospyros pyrrhocarpa0.6914
KamashiStaudtia stipitata0.79
KamassiGonioma kamassi0.85
Kamassi BoxwoodGonioma kamassi0.85
KamassieGonioma kamassi0.85
KamassihoutGonioma kamassi0.85
KamatanaCatostemma fragrans0.66
KamatogErythrophloeum densiflorum0.68
KambaMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KambalaChlorophora excelsa0.70
KambalaChlorophora regia0.59
KambliMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KamereAleurites moluccana0.14
KamiehAleurites moluccana0.14
KamiriAleurites moluccana0.14
KampasKoompassia malaccensis0.76
Kan KiHopea odorata0.63
Kana PilaArtocarpus hirsuta0.52
KandaBeilschmiedia mannii0.62
KandalangaCarapa molluccensis0.71
KaneelhoutMezilaurus navalium0.79
KaneerjoeMezilaurus navalium0.79
KanelaPygeum turnerianum0.44
KangeiMitragyna parvifolia0.59
Pometia pinnata0.60
KangitMangifera indica0.53
KangkangumXanthophyllum excelsum0.67
KanitMangifera indica0.53
KaniwiAglaia gigantea0.54
KankateMorus mesozygia0.71
KanoaballiByrsonima coriacea0.68
KanranDiospyros ebenaster0.614
KanranDiospyros mindanaensis0.7814
KansayudAglaia gigantea0.54
KansiopiAnisoptera costata0.52
KansuludAglaia gigantea0.54
KantingenKoordersiodendron pinnatum0.71
KanuMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KanumogPygeum turnerianum0.44
KanzawBassia latifolia0.82
KanzeHeritiera javanica0.65
KanzeHeritiera ornithocephala0.70
Khaya nyassica0.44
KapereCedrela huberi0.404
KapereCedrela odorata0.394
KapereCedrela toona0.47
KapurDryobalanops lanceolata
0.69
KapurDryobalanops spp.0.702
KaputuBrachystegia spiciformis0.70
KaraalAlbizia procera0.55
KarailAlbizia procera0.55
KarakongBalanocarpus heimii0.78
KaramatsuLarix leptolepis0.49
Kara-MatsuLarix leptolepis0.49
KarambMitragyna parvifolia0.59
Pometia pinnata0.60
KararoAningeria altissima0.42
KararoAningeria dombeyi0.39
KararoAningeria robusta0.42
Diospyros ebenum0.94
Terminalia superba0.40
KarharAlbizia procera0.55
KarikowaIryanthera spp.0.58
Diospyros ebenum0.94
KarimariCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
KarmiMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KarogkogKoordersiodendron pinnatum0.71
KarriEucalyptus diversicolor0.7910
Pometia pinnata0.60
Prioria copaifera0.42
Diospyros ebenum0.94
Diospyros ebenum0.94
Diospyros ebenum0.94
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
KasabangZanthoxylum rhetsa0.56
KasaiAlbizia procera0.55
KasaiPometia pinnata0.604
KasaiPometia tomentosa0.59
Kasai SibuPometia pinnata0.604
Pometia pinnata0.60
Pometia pinnata0.60
KashitkaCedrela toona0.47
KasrikeCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
Kat illippiBassia latifolia0.82
Kat illupaiBassia latifolia0.82
Kat illupeiDichopsis elliptica0.56
KatangaiCedrela toona0.47
KatmonDillenia luzoniensis0.65
KatmonDillenia pentagyna0.55
KatondeVitex cofassus0.67
KatondengVitex cofassus0.67
Katong MatsinChisocheton pentandrus0.53
KatpilaArtocarpus hirsuta0.52
KattadiCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
Katum KaoNeonauclea calycinia0.79
KaudamuMyristica buchneriana0.41
KaudamuMyristica chartacea0.48
KaudamuMyristica hypargyraea0.44
KaudamuMyristica sp.0.54
KaulaMachilus odoratissima0.59
Pometia pinnata0.60
KaunghmuAnisoptera cochinchinensis0.52
KaunghmuAnisoptera costata0.52
KaunghmuAnisoptera curtisii0.52
KaunghmuAnisoptera laevis0.44
KaunghmuAnisoptera thurifera0.52
KauriAgathis borneensis0.41
KauriAgathis philippinensis0.33
Kauri AgathisAgathis borneensis0.41
Kauri PineAgathis borneensis0.41
Kauri PineAgathis philippinensis0.33
KauvulaEndospermum macrophyllum0.41
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
KawangHopea odorata0.63
KawiliaGrevillea robusta0.54
KawiloeAleurites moluccana0.14
KawtanokMesua ferrea0.92
Kaya ArangDiospyros ebenaster0.614
Kaya ArangDiospyros inclusa0.7014
Kaya ArangDiospyros melanoxylon0.67
Kaya ArangDiospyros mindanaensis0.7814
Kaya ArangDiospyros pyrrhocarpa0.6914
Pometia pinnata0.60
KayawExcoecaria agallocha0.42
Kaye HujanTetramerista glabra0.73
KayetanaZanthoxylum rhetsa0.56
KayuCinnamomum camphora0.38
KayuExcoecaria agallocha0.42
Kayu BatuKoompassia malaccensis0.76
Kayu BesiIntsia bijuga0.65
Kayu MalamDiospyros ebenaster0.614
Kayu MalamDiospyros inclusa0.7014
Kayu MalamDiospyros melanoxylon0.67
Kayu MalamDiospyros mindanaensis0.7814
Kayu MalamDiospyros pyrrhocarpa0.6914
Kayu RajaKoompassia excelsa0.75
Kayu RajahKoompassia excelsa0.75
Kayu SalaPinus merkusii0.59
Kayu SugiPinus merkusii0.59
KayutanaZanthoxylum rhetsa0.56
K'dengLophira alata0.94
KeakiZelkova serrata0.60
Pometia pinnata0.60
KebukIntsia bijuga0.65
KebuniMorus mesozygia0.71
Kechi LebetMitragyna stipulosa0.53
KedaoAnisoptera costata0.52
KedemoetHopea odorata0.63
KeegaIrvingia gabonensis0.76
KefePterygota bequaertii0.53
KefePterygota macrocarpa0.54
Terminalia superba0.40
KehngidMangifera indica0.53
Kei PalaDichopsis elliptica0.56
KeimMitragyna parvifolia0.59
Pterocarpus angolensis0.59
KekangeTerminalia ivorensis0.54
KekrefundeLophira alata0.94
KeladanDryobalanops lanceolata0.69
KelatSyzygium buettnerianum0.73
KeledangArtocarpus hirsuta0.52
Kelel A CharmCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
Kelela CharmCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
KelintingCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
Quercus kelloggii0.53
KeloIntsia bijuga0.65
KembangHeritiera javanica0.65
KembiriAleurites moluccana0.14
KemelMelia azedarach0.51
KemeriAleurites moluccana0.14
KemiliAleurites moluccana0.14
KemilingAleurites moluccana0.14
KemintingAleurites moluccana0.14
KemiriAleurites moluccana0.14
KempasKoompassia malaccensis0.76
Kempas AnginKoompassia malaccensis0.76
Kempas RawangKoompassia malaccensis0.76
Kempu GandagheriCedrela toona0.47
KemunyauHeritiera javanica0.65
KemwiriAleurites moluccana0.14
KenHopea odorata0.63
Betula papyrifera0.55
Betula papyrifera0.55
KenangaCanangium odoratum0.28
Diospyros ebenum0.94
Kentucky CoffeetreeGymnocladus dioicus0.40
Kentucky MahoganyGymnocladus dioicus0.40
KenyauAnisoptera costata0.52
KepayangNeonauclea calycinia0.79
KeralmCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
KerehAleurites moluccana0.14
KermiriAleurites moluccana0.14
KersPrunus avium0.5813
KeruingDipterocarpus grandiflorus0.68
KeruingDipterocarpus spp.
0.762
Keruing KuchingAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Keruing KucingAnisoptera curtisii0.52
KesaramuMesua ferrea0.92
KesseMorus mesozygia0.71
KetePlanchonella euphlebia0.89
KetimpunAnisoptera costata0.52
KeyakiZelkova serrata0.60
KhachoMillettia pendula0.87
KhaenHopea odorata0.63
Khan ThongSwintonia sp.0.62
KharpatGaruga pinnata0.51
Khasi PinePinus insularis0.50
KhasoPinus insularis0.50
Khasya PinePinus insularis0.50
KhenHopea odorata0.63
Khen HuaHopea odorata0.63
KhengkhriwakbikGrewia elastica0.63
KhinamCedrela serrata0.52
KhishingCedrela serrata0.52
Ki BeureumCedrela toona0.47
Pterocarpus angolensis0.59
Pometia pinnata0.60
KiantioutiouAspidosperma desmanthum0.65
Pterocarpus angolensis0.59
KibibiBerlinia acuminata0.64
Millettia laurentii0.81
KidengDiplodiscus paniculatus0.62
KigereMusanga cecropioides0.23
KilTerminalia amazonia0.76
KilTerminalia arjuna0.71
KilTerminalia ivorensis0.54
KilTerminalia procera0.54
Shorea negrosensis0.59
KilikowaVirola surinamensis0.51
KilkovaZelkova serrata0.60
Killu SisaVochysia ferruginea0.52
Killu SisaVochysia guianensis0.52
Kilu-SisaVochysia guianensis0.52
KimeyongHeritiera javanica0.65
KimurumbaChlorophora excelsa0.70
King TreeMora excelsa0.89
Carya lacinosa0.69
KingueBombax brevicuspe0.35
KingwoodDalbergia cearensis1.1616
KipapaAfzelia quanzensis0.62
KipolengHeritiera javanica0.65
KipugupuguBrachylaena hutchinsii0.85
KirikawaIryanthera spp.0.58
Pometia pinnata0.60
KirschePrunus avium0.5813
KirunduAntiaris toxicaria0.35
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
KitolaOxystigma oxyphyllum0.53
KiuCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
KiviliIntsia bijuga0.65
KjanarieMezilaurus navalium0.79
KjarieMezilaurus navalium0.79
K-KuperbPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
KlibbalAlnus glutinosa0.41
Knicker treeGymnocladus dioicus0.40
Pinus contorta0.41
Pinus ponderosa0.40
KnysnaGonioma kamassi0.85
Knysna boxwoodGonioma kamassi0.85
Ko KiHopea odorata0.63
KoaAcacia koa0.6313
KoberoManilkara bidentata0.95
KodanjiPolyalthia fragans0.46
KodanyiPolyalthia fragans0.46
KoeAlnus nepalensis0.26
KoeipjarieLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
KoemaroeDipteryx odorata0.82
Platymiscium pinnatum0.87
Pometia pinnata0.60
Pometia pinnata0.60
KoesMicropholis guianensis0.67
Koesiri BalatarieMicropholis guianensis0.67
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
KofoMitragyna stipulosa0.53
KohiAlnus nepalensis0.26
Pometia pinnata0.60
Terminalia superba0.40
Terminalia superba0.40
KokadakaAnisoptera costata0.52
KokangoTerminalia ivorensis0.54
KokankLophira alata0.94
KokiHopea iriana0.80
KokiHopea odorata0.63
Koki MosauHopea odorata0.63
Koki ThmarHopea odorata0.63
KokkoAlbizia lebbeck0.543
KokkoAlbizia procera0.55
KokopaieErisma uncinatum0.51
Terminalia superba0.40
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
KomattiExcoecaria agallocha0.42
KombaMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KomereAleurites moluccana0.14
KompasKoompassia malaccensis0.76
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
KondrotiBombax brevicuspe0.35
KondrotiBombax chevalieri0.51
Terminalia superba0.40
KongBalanocarpus heimii0.78
Pometia pinnata0.60
Terminalia superba0.40
KonhoutMinquartia guianensis0.83
Konoo-FindoTieghemella heckelii0.60
KonthoutMinquartia guianensis0.83
Kooel PialliLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
KooroobooelliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
KooroobovelliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
Cedrela odorata0.39
KoraAnisoptera costata0.52
Terminalia superba0.40
KorobManilkara zapota0.71
KoroboreliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
KoroboreliPeltogyne venosa0.69
KoroborelliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
KoroboreziPeltogyne venosa0.69
Koron PakuCatostemma fragrans0.66
KosauIsoberlinia doka0.63
Terminalia superba0.40
KotoPterygota bequaertii0.53
KotoPterygota macrocarpa0.54
KotublassuLophira alata0.94
KoualiQualea albiflora0.54
KoualiQualea paraensis0.58
KoualiVochysia ferruginea0.52
KoualiVochysia guianensis0.52
KoualiVochysia lehmanni0.52
KoualiVochysia tomentosa0.52
KouburelliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
KoulMansonia altissima0.55
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
Koumanti OudouAspidosperma desmanthum0.65
KoungouPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
KowaTerminalia arjuna0.71
KowalAlnus nepalensis0.26
Pometia pinnata0.60
KpaBeilschmiedia mannii0.62
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
KpehIrvingia gabonensis0.76
KpeleIrvingia gabonensis0.76
KpendeiAfzelia bipindensis0.62
KpendeiAfzelia pachyloba0.62
KpooMitragyna stipulosa0.53
KpowoMitragyna stipulosa0.53
KrabaakAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Krabaak DaengAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Krabaak ThongAnisoptera curtisii0.52
KrabakAnisoptera costata0.52
KrabakAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Kra-BakAnisoptera costata0.52
Krabak DaengAnisoptera costata0.52
Krabak DamAnisoptera costata0.52
Krabak ThongAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Krakas PrekIntsia bijuga0.65
KrammalPopulus ciliata0.37
Pometia pinnata0.60
KrishingCedrela serrata0.52
KromantiAspidosperma desmanthum0.65
Pometia pinnata0.60
KuantanTetramerista glabra0.73
KuasiPodocarpus neriifolia0.48
Kuba MahoganySwietenia mahagoni0.57
KubokIntsia bijuga0.65
KubukIntsia bijuga0.65
KudwalMitragyna parvifolia0.59
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Pometia pinnata0.60
KujyaCedrela toona0.47
KukuiAleurites moluccana0.14
KukuoDiospyros ebenaster0.614
KukuoDiospyros mindanaensis0.7814
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Kulim PapaVitex cofassus0.67
Kulim PapaVitex parviflora0.68
Kuling-BabuiDysoxylum euphlebium0.63
KulmMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KumaruDipteryx odorata0.82
KumbukTerminalia arjuna0.71
KumiriAleurites moluccana0.14
Terminalia superba0.40
KumpangMyristica buchneriana0.41
KumpangMyristica chartacea0.48
KumpangMyristica hypargyraea0.44
KumpangMyristica sp.0.54
KumpasKoompassia malaccensis0.76
KumraMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KunchAlnus nepalensis0.26
KungTerminalia amazonia0.76
KungTerminalia arjuna0.71
KungTerminalia ivorensis0.54
KungTerminalia procera0.54
Pometia pinnata0.60
KunisAlnus nepalensis0.26
KunsunGrewia elastica0.63
KuntzAlnus nepalensis0.26
KunuLophira alata0.94
KunukwaPygeum africanum0.61
KuraburelliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
Cedrela odorata0.39
Cedrela odorata0.39
KurenIntsia bijuga0.65
KuruburelliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
KuruburelliPeltogyne venosa0.69
KurukCedrela toona0.47
KurumMitragyna parvifolia0.59
KusonokiCinnamomum camphora0.38
KutebiMitragyna parvifolia0.59
Araucaria angustifolia0.49
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
KwaiTerminalia amazonia0.76
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
KwariVochysia ferruginea0.52
KwariVochysia guianensis0.52
KwariVochysia lehmanni0.52
KwariVochysia tomentosa0.52
KwarieByrsonima coriacea0.68
KwateriEschweilera sagotiana0.90
KwatruEschweilera sagotiana0.90
KwilaIntsia bijuga0.65
KwilaIntsia palembanica0.65
KwintofiBeilschmiedia mannii0.62
KwipariyeLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
Kwo-KwoMitragyna stipulosa0.53
KyereLophira alata0.94
KyerePterygota bequaertii0.53
KyerePterygota macrocarpa0.54
KyetoVitex cofassus0.67
KyirafuntiLophira alata0.94
KyirebenteLophira alata0.94

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.