Question

How hard are hardwoods? Rank the following woods from hardest to softest: hard maple, cherry, hickory, red oak, and white oak.

Also, hickory is how many times harder than aspen?

Answer

Answer:
Total pounds (kilograms) of pressure applied before marring occurs:

Hickory 1,820 (825)
Hard Maple 1,450 (660)
White Oak 1,360 (615)
Beech 1,300 (590)
Red Oak 1,290 (585)
Black Walnut 1,010 (460)
Cherry 950 (430)
Alder 590 (270)
Aspen 350 (160)

Hickory is about twice as hard as cherry and five times harder than aspen.