Beech
Appearance

COLOR: Heartwood is light tan to dark brown; sapwood is creamy white. Similar in appearance to white oak, but frequently more yellow.
GRAIN: Bold, straight, moderately open grain with occasional wavy figuring. Can have strong contrast in grain in plainsawn boards.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Sometimes confused with hickory; the zone of large pores is more distinctive in ash, similar to that of red oak.

Properties
HARDNESS (JANKA): 1320; 2% harder than Northern red oak.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Above average (change coefficient .00274; 26% more stable than red oak).
DURABILITY: Elastic, hard; excellent shock resistance. Remains smooth under friction.