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
LabiBeilschmiedia mannii0.62
LabriMorus alba0.60
LacewoodGrevillea robusta0.54
LacewoodPlatanus hybrida0.59
Platanus occidentalis0.49
Lacre de BajoTetragastris altissima0.74
LacreiroQualea paraensis0.58
LadetCedrela toona0.47
LaganDipterocarpus basilanicus0.54
LaganDipterocarpus grandiflorus0.68
LaganDipterocarpus warburgii0.53
Shorea negrosensis0.59
LagoPygeum turnerianum0.44
LaguneroDipterocarpus basilanicus0.54
LaguneroDipterocarpus grandiflorus0.68
LaguneroDipterocarpus warburgii0.53
LaguneroPterocarpus marsupium0.714
LaguneroPterocarpus vernalis0.63
LagunoVochysia lehmanni0.52
LagunoVochysia tomentosa0.52
Laiman-PhangGrewia elastica0.63
LakolakoKoordersiodendron pinnatum0.71
LakuchArtocarpus hirsuta0.52
LamioDracontomelon edule0.44
LamoaMelia azedarach0.51
LamogPlanchonia papuana0.61
LamongPlanchonia papuana0.61
LampatiDuabanga sonneratioides0.37
LamphuDuabanga sonneratioides0.37
LananShorea leptoclados0.384
LananShorea smithiana0.434
Terminalia superba0.40
LandinPodocarpus guatemalensis0.54
LandinPodocarpus neriifolia0.48
LandojanAningeria altissima0.42
LandojanAningeria dombeyi0.39
LandojanAningeria robusta0.42
LandosanAningeria altissima0.42
LandosanAningeria dombeyi0.39
LandosanAningeria robusta0.42
Pometia pinnata0.60
Pometia pinnata0.60
Langbian pinePinus insularis0.50
Langbian Three-Leaved PinePinus insularis0.50
Pometia pinnata0.60
Lanutan-BagioGonystylus macrophyllum0.54
Lanutan-BagyoGonystylus macrophyllum0.54
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
LapachoTabebuia serratifolia0.994
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Lapacho NegroTabebuia serratifolia0.994
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Abies amabilis0.43
Abies grandis0.37
Larix laricina0.53
Larix occidentalis0.52
Larel de costaCordia alliodora0.51
Large false mopaneGuibourtia coleosperma0.66
Swietenia macrophylla0.47
Swietenia macrophylla0.47
LarkLarix decidua0.4814
LarutTetramerista glabra0.73
LasilaLagerstroemia piriformis0.67
LasilakLagerstroemia piriformis0.67
LastanPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
LastanPeltogyne venosa0.69
LatagXanthophyllum excelsum0.67
LatarekoGonystylus macrophyllum0.54
Nyssa sylvatica0.50
Lau TauTarrietia sylvatica0.82
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Shorea negrosensis0.59
LauanShorea contorta0.374
LauanShorea leprosula0.504
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Pometia pinnata0.60
LaukyaSchima wallichii0.62
LaurelCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel AmarilloCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel AvispilloPhoebe elongata0.62
Laurel BlancoCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel BoboPhoebe elongata0.62
Laurel CorrienteCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel de CerroCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel de CostaCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel de MontanaCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel MachoCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel NegroCordia alliodora0.51
Laurel Oak
Quercu laurifolia
0.63
1
Laurel SabinoMagnolia sororum0.52
Laurel SabinoMagnolia yoroconte0.52
LauriTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Laurier CanellePhoebe elongata0.62
Laurier de RosePhoebe elongata0.62
Laurier-RosePodocarpus guatemalensis0.54
Lauro AmarilloCordia alliodora0.51
Pometia pinnata0.60
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana0.43
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana0.43
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana0.43
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
LeauriCupressus torulosa0.47
LebanVitex cofassus0.67
LebanVitex parviflora0.68
Leche AmarilloTerminalia amazonia0.76
LegituCalophyllum inophyllum0.55
LegituCalophyllum tomentosum0.59
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Legno SatinoBrosimum rubescens0.63
LehaseIntsia bijuga0.65
LekankateMorus mesozygia0.71
LekongAleurites moluccana0.14
LelahMelia azedarach0.51
Lemon EeucalyptusEucalyptus citriodora0.65
Lemon Scented GumEucalyptus citriodora0.65
LemuaMelia azedarach0.51
LenggapasMesua ferrea0.92
LengkodangHeritiera javanica0.65
LeoriCupressus torulosa0.47
Lesi-LesiHeritiera javanica0.65
LeteballibeleroErisma uncinatum0.51
Pometia pinnata0.60
LeuriCupressus torulosa0.47
LibuMammea africana0.69
LichtnussbaumAleurites moluccana0.14
LicsujacatManilkara zapota0.71
LicuranaHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
LidiaTerminalia ivorensis0.54
LiembanAlangium meyeri0.56
Lifaki MuindoLovoa trichiliodes0.46
LifokpeMorus mesozygia0.71
Light American CordiaCordia alliodora0.51
Terminalia superba0.40
Light Red lauanShorea contorta0.374
Light Red lauanShorea leprosula0.504
Light Red lauanShorea leptoclados0.384
Light Red lauanShorea smithiana0.434
Light Red MerantiShorea contorta0.374
Light Red MerantiShorea leprosula0.504
Light Red MerantiShorea leptoclados0.384
Light Red MerantiShorea smithiana0.434
Light Red SerayaShorea contorta0.374
Light Red SerayaShorea leprosula0.504
Light Red SerayaShorea leptoclados0.384
Light Red SerayaShorea smithiana0.434
Light VirolaVirola koschnyi0.51
Light VirolaVirola surinamensis0.51
LightwoodAcacia melanoxylon0.54
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Lignum vitaeGuaiacum officinale1.1316
LignumvitaeGuaiacum spp.1.2610
LihosLophira alata0.94
Pterocarpus indicus0.57
LikuLophira alata0.94
LikunduPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
LilaMelia azedarach0.51
LilacMelia azedarach0.51
LilasMelia azedarach0.51
LimaGossypiospermum praecox0.77
LimbaTerminalia superba0.402
Terminalia superba0.40
Terminalia superba0.40
Terminalia superba0.40
Tilia americana0.37
LimoncilloGossypiospermum praecox0.77
Tilia americana0.37
LinauLagerstroemia piriformis0.67
Tilia americana0.37
LindenTilia vulgaris0.5113
LinganHeritiera javanica0.65
LingasMelanorrhoea spp.0.75
LingueAfzelia bipindensis0.62
LingueAfzelia pachyloba0.62
LinkwaiDuabanga sonneratioides0.37
Tilia americana0.37
LinoeCedrela toona0.47
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
LisengiMusanga cecropioides0.23
Live oakQuercus virginiana0.84
Loblolly PinePinus taeda0.511
Robinia pseudoacacia0.69
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Locus Berry TreeByrsonima coriacea0.68
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
LocustGleditsia triacanthos0.62
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Robinia pseudoacacia0.69
Locust BerryByrsonima coriacea0.68
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Locust TreeByrsonima coriacea0.68
Locust-BerryByrsonima coriacea0.68
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Locust-TreeByrsonima coriacea0.68
Astronium graveolens0.89
Astronium graveolens0.80
Lodgepole PinePinus contorta0.411
Pinus ponderosa0.40
Logo AsaguChlorophora excelsa0.70
LohoMusanga cecropioides0.23
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
LokoChlorophora excelsa0.70
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
LoktobDuabanga sonneratioides0.37
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
LolagbolaOxystigma oxyphyllum0.53
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
London PlanePlatanus hybrida0.59
Pinus palustris0.59
Longleaf PinePinus palustris0.591
Pinus taeda0.51
Pinus palustris0.59
Pinus palustris0.59
Loro NegroCordia alliodora0.51
LosusExcoecaria agallocha0.42
Pometia pinnata0.60
Lotus Berry TreeByrsonima coriacea0.68
LouamboMitragyna ciliata0.52
LouamboMitragyna stipulosa0.53
Taxodium distichum0.46
Taxodium distichum0.46
LoupDracontomelon edule0.44
Lourel de CostaCordia alliodora0.51
LouroAniba duckei0.56
LouroCordia alliodora0.51
Louro AmarilloCordia alliodora0.51
Amburana cearensis0.58
Louro RosaAniba duckei0.56
Abies amabilis0.43
LovoaLovoa trichiliodes0.46
Lovoa WoodLovoa trichiliodes0.46
Abies grandis0.37
Abies grandis0.37
Abies concolor0.39
Tabebuia serratifolia0.99
Lucky BeanAfzelia quanzensis0.62
LudCedrela toona0.47
LuisHopea iriana0.80
LuisHopea odorata0.63
LumatiLagerstroemia piriformis0.67
LumbangAleurites moluccana0.14
LumbayaoHeritiera javanica0.65
LumbayauHeritiera javanica0.65
LumbayauHeritiera ornithocephala0.70
LumbayaubatoHeritiera javanica0.65
Lumbayau-BatuHeritiera javanica0.65
LumphaIntsia bijuga0.65
LumphaIntsia palembanica0.65
LumphoIntsia bijuga0.65
LumphoIntsia palembanica0.65
Lum-PhoIntsia palembanica0.65
Lumpho-ThaleIntsia bijuga0.65
LumpianLagerstroemia piriformis0.67
LunShorea assamica0.514
LunShorea cochinchinensis0.504
LunShorea hypochra0.584
Lun PutehShorea assamica0.514
Lun PutehShorea cochinchinensis0.504
Lun PutehShorea hypochra0.584
LunguloHeritiera javanica0.65
LungunHeritiera javanica0.65
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
LusangaChlorophora excelsa0.70
LusangaChlorophora regia0.59
Luzon PinePinus insularis0.50

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.