The western region of North Carolina is an incredible place. There is everything from large mountain towns such as Asheville to the outdoor mecca of Brevard, and everything in between. Squarely in Appalachia, Western North Carolina is not just beautiful; it is home to some of the most pristine forests on the East Coast. These forests are extremely biodiverse and contain a variety of marketable species. 

In addition to having such a unique landscape, the cities and towns across Western North Carolina are growing, with many new businesses and attractions added every day. Ever since the pandemic, many city dwellers have been on the lookout for opportunities to spread out and enjoy the outdoors while also being close to major markets such as Charlotte and Greenville. Overall, Western North Carolina is quite the special place. 

Western North Carolina Hardwood Forests

Forests in Western North Carolina are incredibly biodiverse, hosting a variety of different plant and animal species. In fact, much of Western North Carolina is considered a temperate rainforest, featuring high rainfall amounts, mild temperatures, and lush undergrowth. These conditions are prime for hardwood forests, which need fertile soil, consistent moisture, and balanced sunlight.

Western North Carolina is home to a diverse range of Appalachian hardwood species. Oak-hickory and mixed hardwood forests throughout the region produce valuable lumber used in cabinetry, furniture, flooring, millwork, interior finishes, and other manufactured products. Common and commercially important species in the region include the following.

• White Oak: White oak is a strong, durable hardwood with a distinctive grain pattern and excellent natural resistance to moisture. Its strength, stability, and appearance make it a popular choice for cabinetry, furniture, hardwood flooring, interior trim, architectural millwork, and cooperage.
• Red Oak: Red oak is a widely used Appalachian hardwood recognized for its open grain, strength, and warm color. It machines well and accepts stains effectively, making it suitable for cabinets, furniture, flooring, stair parts, interior trim, and millwork.
• Chestnut Oak: Chestnut oak is a durable hardwood commonly found in the Appalachian region. Its strength and distinctive appearance make it useful for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and other applications where a strong, attractive hardwood is needed. Chestnut oak is also an important component of North Carolina's commercially valuable oak resource.
• Maple: Both hard and soft maple species are found in the Appalachian hardwood region. Maple is valued for its smooth texture, consistent appearance, and excellent machining qualities. Depending on the species and grade, maple is commonly used for cabinetry, furniture, flooring, countertops, butcher blocks, millwork, and interior components.
• Cherry: Black cherry is prized for its fine grain and rich color, which deepens naturally over time. It is a premium choice for high-end furniture, custom cabinetry, architectural millwork, doors, paneling, and decorative interior applications. Black cherry is among the commercially important hardwood species found in North Carolina and Appalachian forests.
• Hickory: Hickory is one of the hardest and toughest domestic hardwoods. Western North Carolina forests contain several hickory species, including pignut, shagbark, mockernut, and bitternut hickory. Because of its exceptional strength and distinctive grain, hickory is commonly used for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, stair parts, tool handles, and other demanding applications.
• Black Walnut: Black walnut is a premium hardwood known for its rich brown color, distinctive grain, and excellent workability. It is commonly used in high-end furniture, luxury cabinetry, architectural millwork, interior paneling, gunstocks, and specialty wood products.
• Yellow Poplar: Also known as tulip poplar or tulipwood, yellow poplar is one of the most important hardwood species in the Appalachian region. It is relatively lightweight, stable, and easy to machine, making it an excellent choice for painted cabinetry, furniture components, mouldings, doors, millwork, and interior trim.
• Ash: Ash is a strong, resilient hardwood with a straight grain and attractive appearance. Traditionally, it has been used for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, millwork, and specialty products requiring strength and shock resistance. White ash is among the hardwood species found in Western North Carolina forests.
• Beech: American beech is a hard, dense wood with a fine, tight grain and smooth texture. It can be used for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, millwork, and turned or machined components where a durable hardwood is needed.
• Birch: Yellow birch and other birch species occur in the higher elevations and northern hardwood forests of the Appalachian region. Birch is valued for its smooth texture, strength, and ability to machine and finish well. Common uses include furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, flooring, and plywood products.

Products Manufactured from Hardwoods In Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina produces a vast number of different hardwood species that can be used across many applications. At Select Hardwoods, we procure, mill, and market hardwood lumber that can be used in a variety of different ways. Much of our lumber is used in the downstream manufacturing of the following products:

• Cabinets and Cabinet Components: Face frames, doors, drawer fronts, panels, and interior components.
• Furniture: Tables, chairs, desks, beds, dressers, shelving, and custom furniture pieces.
• Hardwood Flooring: Solid and engineered flooring for residential and commercial spaces.
• Architectural Millwork: Mouldings, trim, casing, baseboards, crown moulding, and other decorative components.
• Doors: Interior and exterior doors, door frames, and specialty door components.
• Stair Parts: Treads, risers, handrails, balusters, and newel posts.
• Panels and Veneers: Decorative panels, wall coverings, furniture components, and plywood faces.
• Countertops and Work Surfaces: Butcher blocks, wood countertops, workbenches, and specialty surfaces.
• Shelving: Residential, commercial, and custom hardwood shelving.
• Mouldings and Interior Trim: Window trim, door trim, chair rails, and other finished interior details.
• Musical Instruments: Components for guitars, drums, pianos, and other instruments.
• Tool Handles and Specialty Products: Durable handles, sporting goods, turned products, and other manufactured hardwood components.
• Pallets and Industrial Products: Hardwood pallets, blocking, dunnage, and other heavy-duty industrial applications.
• Exterior Wood Products: Depending on the species, hardwood may be used for decking, outdoor furniture, siding, and other applications where durability is important.

All in all, specialty hardwood lumber is extremely versatile for use in whatever manufacturing process you put it up against. 

Select Hardwoods: Your Choice for Hardwood Lumber in Western North Carolina

If you are a builder or manufacturer looking for the best quality hardwoods for your products, look no further than Select Hardwoods. As a subsidiary of Church and Church Lumber Company, we know a thing or two about harvesting and milling hardwoods. We have been around for four generations and can be found in the heart of Western North Carolina. Our mills in Wilkes County produce over 25 million board feet a year. 

Whether you are a builder or manufacturer, we would love to discuss how we can help you with your next project. Contact us today to learn more about how Select Hardwoods can set your business up for success with top-quality hardwood lumber.