hardwood · Nyssa sylvatica
Black Tupelo wood properties
Also known as: blackgum.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Nyssa sylvatica |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,188,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.55 |
| Density (approx) | 34 lb/ft³ (2.9 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 800 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 8.7% / 5.1% |
| Region | Eastern North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Black Tupelo weighs about 11.4 lb (roughly 34 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 800 lbf is harder than about 34% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: carving, furniture, crates, utility wood.
Durability: Non-durable to perishable and vulnerable to insects, with no meaningful weather resistance.
Workability: Carves and machines easily but tends to warp while drying and moves a lot in service.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Black Tupelo:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (which cites the USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Black Tupelo is not individually listed in the printed FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient chart, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.