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
SaMitragyna parvifolia0.59
SabantingKoompassia malaccensis0.76
Taxodium distichum0.46
Hura crepitans0.40
SabolIntsia bijuga0.65
SackaPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
SadadoTerminalia arjuna0.71
Liriodendron tulipifera0.42
Liriodendron tulipifera0.42
Safed BombwayTerminalia procera0.54
Safed ThinganHopea odorata0.63
SafedaPopulus ciliata0.37
SafoukalaDacryodes le testui0.56
SagaMichelia excelsa0.42
SagaMichelia sp.0.42
SagawaMichelia excelsa0.42
SagawaMichelia sp.0.42
SaguaHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
SahengPinus insularis0.50
SakaPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
SakaPeltogyne venosa0.69
SakavalliPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
SakavalliPeltogyne venosa0.69
Sak-YaManilkara zapota0.71
SalaiZanthoxylum rhetsa0.56
Salaking-PuAglaia gigantea0.54
SalamingaiAglaia gigantea0.54
SalengPinus insularis0.50
SaliChloroxylon swietenia0.88
SaliTetragastris altissima0.74
SalieTetragastris altissima0.74
SalitPinus insularis0.50
Salm WoodCordia alliodora0.51
SalmwoodCordia alliodora0.51
SalomwoodCordia alliodora0.51
SalsalErythrophloeum densiflorum0.68
Hura crepitans0.40
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
SamaniguaPseudosamanea guachapele0.58
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
SambalaganKoordersiodendron pinnatum0.71
SambulauanKoordersiodendron pinnatum0.71
SampeanAnisoptera costata0.52
SampiraniCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
SanDillenia luzoniensis0.65
SanDillenia pentagyna0.55
San JuanVochysia hondurensis0.52
San Juan de PozoVochysia ferruginea0.52
San Juan de PozoVochysia guianensis0.52
San Juan de PozoVochysia lehmanni0.52
San Juan de PozoVochysia tomentosa0.52
San Juan RosoVochysia guianensis0.52
SanaiAnisoptera curtisii0.52
Sand BaromalliCatostemma fragrans0.66
Sand PinePinus clausa0.481
SandaMorus mesozygia0.71
SandanDaniella oliveri0.49
Sandani VembuCedrela toona0.47
Hura crepitans0.40
SanditMichelia excelsa0.42
SanditMichelia sp.0.42
SanengMachilus odoratissima0.59
SangaChlorophora excelsa0.70
SangaHopea odorata0.63
SangaMichelia excelsa0.42
SangaMichelia sp.0.42
SangaPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
SangreDipterocarpus basilanicus0.54
SangreDipterocarpus grandiflorus0.68
SangreDipterocarpus warburgii0.53
SangrePterocarpus marsupium0.714
SangrePterocarpus vernalis0.63
SangreVirola koschnyi0.51
SangreVirola surinamensis0.51
Sangre ColoradoVirola surinamensis0.51
Sangre de DragoDipterocarpus basilanicus0.54
Sangre de DragoDipterocarpus grandiflorus0.68
Sangre de DragoDipterocarpus warburgii0.53
Sangre de DragoPterocarpus marsupium0.714
Sangre de DragoPterocarpus vernalis0.63
Sangre de ToroVirola koschnyi0.51
Sangre PaloVirola koschnyi0.51
SangredragoVirola koschnyi0.51
SangrilloDipterocarpus basilanicus0.54
SangrilloDipterocarpus grandiflorus0.68
SangrilloDipterocarpus warburgii0.53
SangrilloPterocarpus marsupium0.714
SangrilloPterocarpus vernalis0.63
SangrinoVirola surinamensis0.51
SangritoIryanthera spp.0.58
Sangue de BoiHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
Sangue de BoiHyeronyma laxiflora0.58
Sangue-de-BoiHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Sanna IppaBassia latifolia0.82
Pterocarpus soyauxii0.64
SanyaDaniella oliveri0.49
SaoHopea odorata0.63
Sao DenHopea odorata0.63
Sao HokiHopea odorata0.63
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
SapaterPeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
SapaterPeltogyne venosa0.69
SapaterePeltogyne porphyrocardia0.69
SapateroGossypiospermum praecox0.77
SapatijaManilkara zapota0.71
SapeleEntandrophragma cylindricum
0.602
Pometia pinnata0.60
Abies grandis0.37
Sapin de MontagneAraucaria cunninghamii0.443
Shorea negrosensis0.59
Pinus strobus0.35
SapoDidelotia brevipaniculata0.54
SapodillaManilkara zapota0.71
Sapodilla PlumManilkara zapota0.71
SapoteManilkara zapota0.71
Sapote clebraPouteria pomifera0.84
Sapote culebraPouteria izabalensis0.64
SapotiManilkara zapota0.71
SapotierManilkara zapota0.71
SapotilhaManilkara zapota0.71
SapotillbaumManilkara zapota0.71
SapotilleManilkara bidentata0.95
SapotilleManilkara zapota0.71
SapotillerManilkara zapota0.71
SaraiCupressus torulosa0.47
SaraiZanthoxylum rhetsa0.56
Sarbana KwarieByrsonima coriacea0.68
SargaKoordersiodendron pinnatum0.71
SarosaroPlanchonella euphlebia0.89
SarrapiaDipteryx odorata0.82
SarruCupressus torulosa0.47
SasiExcoecaria agallocha0.42
SassafrasDoryphora sassafras0.49
SassafrasSassafras albidum0.461
SasseBridelia aubrevillei0.59
SatijnhoutBrosimum rubescens0.63
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
SatinashSyzygium buettnerianum0.73
SatineBrosimum rubescens0.63
Satine RougeBrosimum rubescens0.63
Satine RubaneBrosimum rubescens0.63
SatinholzBrosimum rubescens0.63
SatinwoodBrosimum rubescens0.63
SatinwoodChloroxylon swietenia0.88
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
Satin-WoodTerminalia ivorensis0.54
SauceCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
SauceSalix alba0.38
SauceSalix fragilis0.38
Salix nigra0.39
SauchiHopea odorata0.63
SauleSalix alba0.38
Salix nigra0.39
SauzSalix alba0.38
Salix nigra0.39
Juniperus virginiana0.47
SawarieCaryocar villosum0.76
SawkwarHopea odorata0.63
Carya ovata0.72
Scarba GumEucalyptus globoidea0.70
Acer rubrum0.54
Scarlet OakQuercus coccinea0.671
SchirmbaumMusanga cecropioides0.23
Scotch EboHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
Scotch ElmUlmus glabra0.53
Scotch PinePinus sylvestris0.4514
Scots firPinus sylvestris0.4514
Scots PinePinus sylvestris0.4514
Ilex opaca0.55
Quercus macrocarpa0.64
Pinus banksiana0.43
Scrub PinePinus caribaea0.70
Pinus clausa0.48
Pinus contorta0.41
Scrub PinePinus insularis0.50
Pinus virginiana0.48
Pterocarpus angolensis0.59
SeboVirola koschnyi0.51
SeboVirola surinamensis0.51
Hura crepitans0.40
SekkaIntsia bijuga0.65
SelanSwintonia sp.0.62
SelangkingArtocarpus hirsuta0.52
SelillonPouteria izabalensis0.64
SemeiChlorophora excelsa0.70
SemiramisMagnolia sororum0.52
SemiramisMagnolia yoroconte0.52
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
SemliChlorophora excelsa0.70
SemliChlorophora regia0.59
SenaPterocarpus indicus0.573
SenaiDracontomelum mangiferum0.66
Pometia pinnata0.60
Sendok SendokEndospermum macrophyllum0.41
SengaMusanga cecropioides0.23
SengelChloroxylon swietenia0.88
SengkuangDracontomelon edule0.44
SenkuangDracontomelum mangiferum0.66
SequoiaSequoia sempervirens0.40
Sequoia PineSequoia sempervirens0.40
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
SerantangCampnosperma brevipetiolata0.33
SerretByrsonima coriacea0.68
SerretteByrsonima coriacea0.68
ServaCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
SesendokEndospermum macrophyllum0.41
Sessile OakQuercus petraea0.65
Sha LeiTetramerista glabra0.73
Pinus lambertiana0.36
Shagbark HickoryCarya ovata0.721
ShahtulMorus alba0.60
Buxus sempervirens0.83
Buxus sempervirens0.83
SharpharaPopulus ciliata0.37
Abies magnifica0.38
Abies magnifica0.38
ShatutMorus alba0.60
She OakCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
She PinePinus caribaea0.70
She Pitch PinePinus caribaea0.70
SheduaDaniella thurifera0.46
SheinkManilkara zapota0.71
Shellbark HickoryCarya lacinosa0.691
Carya ovata0.72
Pinus resinosa0.46
ShempoVirola surinamensis0.51
SheneManilkara zapota0.71
Diospyros ebenum0.94
ShenheAfzelia quanzensis0.62
ShibadanAspidosperma desmanthum0.65
Buxus sempervirens0.83
Shihuahaco AmarilloDipteryx odorata0.82
Shingle OakCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
Shingle WoodTerminalia ivorensis0.54
Terminalia superba0.40
Thuja plicata0.32
Shining GumEucalyptus nitens0.59
Robinia pseudoacacia0.69
Pinus contorta0.41
Picea mariana0.42
Shortleaf PinePinus echinata0.511
Pinus echinata0.51
ShowIntsia bijuga0.65
Buxus sempervirens0.83
ShuruzbedCedrela toona0.47
SiangMusanga cecropioides0.23
Pinus sylvestris0.45
SibuPometia pinnata0.604
SibuPometia tomentosa0.59
Pometia pinnata0.60
SiguapaPouteria izabalensis0.64
SiguapaPouteria pomifera0.84
SiliChlorophora regia0.59
SilillonPouteria izabalensis0.64
SilionManilkara zapota0.71
SilionPouteria pomifera0.84
Silk Oak GrevilleaGrevillea robusta0.54
Picea sitchensis0.40
SilkwoodFlindersia pimenteliana0.51
SilkwoodFlindersia pubescens0.6
Silkwood MapleFlindersia pimenteliana0.51
Silkwood MapleFlindersia pubescens0.60
Silkworm MulberryMorus alba0.60
Silky OakGrevillea robusta0.54
Silver AshFlindersia pubescens0.60
Betula alleghaniensis0.62
Betula papyrifera0.55
Abies amabilis0.43
Abies concolor0.39
Abies grandis0.37
Tsuga heterophylla0.45
Silver MapleAcer saccharinum0.471
Abies balsamea0.35
Pinus monticola0.35
Picea engelmannii0.35
Picea sitchensis0.40
SilverballiAniba duckei0.56
SilverballiCordia alliodora0.51
Abies magnifica0.38
Sima-BandaruMitragyna parvifolia0.59
SimalCedrela toona0.47
SimanaCatostemma fragrans0.66
SimeChlorophora excelsa0.70
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
SimliChlorophora excelsa0.70
SimmeChlorophora excelsa0.70
SimmeChlorophora regia0.59
SimpohDillenia luzoniensis0.65
SimpohDillenia pentagyna0.55
SimpurDillenia luzoniensis0.65
SimpurDillenia pentagyna0.55
SingaPiptadeniastrum africanum0.63
Singapore NutAleurites moluccana0.14
Single SprucePicea glauca0.363
SingliangBucklandia populnea0.56
Singliang KungBucklandia populnea0.56
Singliang-KungBucklandia populnea0.56
Singrie KwarieErisma uncinatum0.51
Singri-KwariErisma uncinatum0.51
Platymiscium pinnatum0.87
Pometia pinnata0.60
SiqwanesehlatRapanea melanophleos0.74
SiraIntsia bijuga0.65
Sira kadambuMitragyna parvifolia0.59
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
SiroeaballiMezilaurus navalium0.79
Swietenia macrophylla0.47
SisinPodocarpus guatemalensis0.54
SitairakAnisoptera costata0.52
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis0.44
Sitka SprucePicea sitchensis0.401
Siton PayaBrosimum rubescens0.63
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
SkogsalmUlmus glabra0.53
Quercus robur0.57
SkorpilSalix fragilis0.38
Skunk SprucePicea glauca0.363
SlangenhoutLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
Slang-HoudouMarmaroxylon racemosum1.07
Slash PinePinus caribaea0.70
Slash PinePinus elliottii0.591
Slavonian AshFraxinus excelsior0.5814
Fagus sylvatica0.67
Slavonian OakQuercus petraea0.65
Quercus robur0.57
Slippery ElmUlmus rubra0.531
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
Small Leaved StringybarkEucalyptus wilkinsoniana0.71
Small-Leaf MahoganySwietenia mahagoni0.57
Quercus velutina0.61
SnakewoodLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
SnakewoodMarmaroxylon racemosum1.07
Sneki HoedoeLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
Sneki HousouMarmaroxylon racemosum1.07
Snekie HoedoeLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
Sneki-OedoeMarmaroxylon racemosum1.07
So KeHopea odorata0.63
Pinus sylvestris0.45
SoeradanHyeronyma laxiflora0.58
SoerenCedrela huberi0.404
SoerenCedrela toona0.47
SoewanaIryanthera spp.0.58
SofoMitragyna stipulosa0.53
SofoaMitragyna ciliata0.52
Ulmus americana0.50
Ulmus rubra0.53
Soft Maple0.498
Acer rubrum0.54
Acer saccharinum0.47
Pinus monticola0.35
Pinus strobus0.35
Triplochiton scleroxylon0.32
SoleroCordia alliodora0.51
Hura crepitans0.40
Soloman Islands RaminGonystylus macrophyllum0.54
Pterocarpus indicus0.57
Solomons VitexVitex cofassus0.67
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
SomsoCedrela toona0.47
SomunthiriCarapa molluccensis0.71
Somye MengaStaudtia stipitata0.79
SonCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
SongwaMitragyna stipulosa0.53
SoniCedrela serrata0.52
Pterocarpus indicus0.57
SonsambaiPinus insularis0.50
SorenCedrela toona0.47
Amburana cearensis0.58
Amburana cearensis0.58
SorodanHyeronyma laxiflora0.58
SorodonHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
SorogVochysia lehmanni0.52
SorogaVochysia tomentosa0.52
SortomMillettia pendula0.87
SouariCaryocar villosum0.76
SoufoMitragyna ciliata0.52
Nyssa aquatica0.50
Nyssa sylvatica0.50
Cedrela odorata0.39
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
South American MahoganyManilkara bidentata0.95
South American RosewoodDalbergia stevensonii0.88
Southern Blue GumEucalyptus st. johnii0.79
Populus deltoides0.40
Taxodium distichum0.46
Southern MagnoliaMagnolia grandiflora0.501
Southern PinePinus caribaea0.70
Southern PinePinus insularis0.50
Pinus virginiana0.48
Southern Red OakQuercus falcata
0.591
Quercus rubra0.63
Southern Rock ElmUlmus crassifolia0.62
Southern Silky OakGrevillea robusta0.54
Chamaecyparis thyoides0.32
Pinus echinata0.51
Pinus palustris0.59
Southwestern Black WillowSalix alba0.38
Salix nigra0.39
Prunus serotina0.50
SozoMitragyna ciliata0.52
Fraxinus excelsior0.58
Spanish CedarCedrela huberi0.404
Spanish CedarCedrela odorata0.394
Spanish CedarCedrela spp.0.442
Castanea dentata0.43
Spanish ChestnutCastanea sativa0.5113
Spanish ElmCordia alliodora0.51
Quercus coccinea0.67
Quercus palustris0.63
Quercus palustris0.63
Prioria copaifera0.42
Prunus serotina0.50
SpeciformisBrachystegia spiciformis0.70
Spice TreeUmbellularia californica0.553
Spicy CedarBeilschmiedia mannii0.62
Spotted GumEucalyptus citriodora0.65
Spotted Iron GumEucalyptus citriodora0.65
SprucePicea abies0.43
Picea engelmannii0.35
Picea mariana0.42
Picea rubens0.40
Picea sitchensis0.40
Spruce FirPicea abies0.43
Pinus banksiana0.43
Spruce PinePinus caribaea0.70
Pinus clausa0.48
Pinus contorta0.41
Spruce PinePinus glabra0.441
Pinus palustris0.59
Tsuga canadensis0.40
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
SralPinus merkusii0.59
SsareChlorophora excelsa0.70
St. John SprucePicea glauca0.363
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
Quercus alba0.68
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
Straights MahoganyMelanorrhoea spp.0.75
Pinus palustris0.59
Eucalyptus obliqua0.68
Stump TreeGymnocladus dioicus0.40
SualiPopulus ciliata0.37
SubahaMitragyna ciliata0.52
SubahaMitragyna stipulosa0.53
Subalpine FirAbies lasiocarpa0.321
SubayaMitragyna stipulosa0.53
Platymiscium pinnatum0.87
SubosemaMitragyna stipulosa0.53
SuchicagleCordia alliodora0.51
SuchicagueCordia alliodora0.51
Sucupira
Bowdichia spp
0.803
Sucupira
Diplotropis purpurea
0.843
Acer nigrum0.57
Sugar mapleAcer saccharum0.631
Sugar pinePinus lambertiana0.361
Celtis occidentalis0.53
SugiCryptomeria japonica0.36
SuhabaMitragyna ciliata0.52
SujiCryptomeria japonica0.36
SukabaMitragyna ciliata0.52
Pometia pinnata0.60
SuliCedrela toona0.47
Sumatra PinePinus merkusii0.59
SumatrakieferPinus merkusii0.59
SungangonaRhamnus zeyheri0.86
Turraeanthus africanus0.51
Suntang PutchCedrela toona0.47
SunzuStaudtia stipitata0.79
SupuyaMitragyna stipulosa0.53
SuraCasuarina equisetifolia0.87
SuradaHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
SuradamniHyeronyma laxiflora0.58
SuradanHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
SuradanHyeronyma laxiflora0.58
SuradanniHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
SuradanniHyeronyma laxiflora0.58
SuradomniHieronyma alchorneoides0.58
Surah-VyuCupressus torulosa0.47
SuraiCupressus torulosa0.47
SuriAnisoptera costata0.52
Surian BawangCedrela serrata0.52
SuriliMesua ferrea0.92
SurinCupressus torulosa0.47
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
Surinam GreenheartTabebuia serratifolia0.994
Surinam SnakewoodLoxopterygium sagotii0.62
Hymenaea courbaril0.83
SuruliMesua ferrea0.92
SurundExcoecaria agallocha0.42
Susu MengaStaudtia stipitata0.79
SusumengaStaudtia stipitata0.79
Fraxinus nigra0.49
Fraxinus pennsylvanica0.56
Betula alleghaniensis0.62
Nyssa aquatica0.50
Chamaecyparis thyoides0.32
Thuja occidentalis0.31
Swamp Chestnut OakQuercus michauxii0.671
Taxodium distichum0.46
Swamp DalliVirola surinamensis0.51
Ulmus americana0.50
Carya aquatica0.62
Carya cordiformis0.66
Swamp MagnoliaMagnolia virginiana0.52
Acer rubrum0.54
Quercus palustris0.63
Pinus elliottii0.59
Pinus taeda0.51
Nyssa aquatica0.50
Picea mariana0.42
Nyssa aquatica0.50
Swamp White OakQuercus bicolor0.721
Swamp WillowSalix alba0.38
Salix nigra0.39
SwampbayMagnolia virginiana0.52
Nyssa aquatica0.50
SwarthoutAcacia melanoxylon0.54
Fraxinus excelsior0.58
Swedish AspenPopulus tremula0.42
Swedish BirchBetula sp.0.61
Pinus sylvestris0.45
Pinus sylvestris0.45
Sweet BirchBetula lenta0.651
Castanea dentata0.43
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa0.5113
Liquidambar styraciflua0.52
Magnolia grandiflora0.50
Carya illinoensis0.66
SweetbayMagnolia virginiana0.52
SweetgumLiquidambar styraciflua0.521
Sweet-LocustGleditsia triacanthos0.62
SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus0.5713
Platanus occidentalis0.49
Sycamore PlaneAcer pseudoplatanus0.5713
SYP (Southern Yellow Pine)0.569

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.