hardwood · Ilex opaca
American Holly wood properties
Also known as: holly.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Ilex opaca |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,110,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.64 |
| Density (approx) | 40 lb/ft³ (3.3 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 1,020 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 9.9% / 4.8% |
| Region | Eastern United States |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of American Holly weighs about 13.3 lb (roughly 40 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 1,020 lbf is harder than about 51% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: inlays, furniture, piano keys, handles, turning, novelty items.
Durability: Non-durable or perishable; an easy mark for insects.
Workability: Knots and interlocked grain make it tricky; turns, finishes, stains and glues well; often dyed to imitate ebony.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to American Holly:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). CT/CR omitted: American holly is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table. 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.