hardwood · Catalpa speciosa
Northern Catalpa wood properties
Also known as: catalpa, catawba.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Catalpa speciosa |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,210,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.46 |
| Density (approx) | 29 lb/ft³ (2.4 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 550 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 4.9% / 2.5% |
| Region | Eastern United States, naturalized across North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Northern Catalpa weighs about 9.6 lb (roughly 29 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 550 lbf is harder than about 21% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: fence posts, cabinetry, carving, utility lumber.
Durability: Durable, with solid performance where wood meets the ground.
Workability: Mostly easy; soft latewood needs gentle sanding; turns, glues and finishes well once pores are filled.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Northern Catalpa:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database catalpa page (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook); the page covers Catalpa spp. including C. speciosa (Northern Catalpa). Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Catalpa is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table (Popular Woodworking reproduction), so CT/CR are omitted. 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.