20 Surprising Facts About Hardwoods and Houston, Straight From a Lumber Yard Houston Relies On
Think you know everything about hardwoods and Houston? Think again. From wood that’s heavier than water to a city with a freeway system visible from space, these facts will surprise even the most seasoned locals. At Houston Hardwoods, a lumber yard Houston woodworkers, builders, and DIYers have trusted for decades, we’ve seen our fair share of unbelievable stories—both in the shop and around the city. Here are 20 surprising facts that blend our love of lumber with some unexpected truths about Houston.
Here are 10 interesting facts about hardwoods, followed by 10 incredible things about Houston that even locals often don’t know.
10 Interesting Facts About Hardwoods
1. Some hardwoods can sink in water
Most wood floats, but not all. Exotic hardwoods like Lignum vitae, Black Ironwood, and African Blackwood are so dense that they sink like a stone. Lignum vitae has been used in naval ship propeller bearings precisely because of its density and self-lubricating properties.
2. Mahogany was once used to make coffins for royalty
Centuries ago, Honduran mahogany was prized in Europe for its strength and dark elegance. So much so, English royalty were buried in mahogany caskets—a trend that exploded mahogany demand in the 1700s.
3. Cherry wood darkens with age, not from sunlight
People assume cherry gets darker due to sun exposure. In reality, oxidation is the culprit. Even cherry furniture stored in a box will deepen in color over time, thanks to natural chemical changes.
4. Hardwoods don’t mean the wood is hard
Yes, it’s confusing: balsa wood is technically a hardwood, despite being one of the softest, lightest woods in the world. The classification is botanical, not based on density or hardness. It’s about how the tree reproduces (seeds in flowers = hardwood). We’re going to make a detailed post on this topic in a few weeks.
5. Oak trees can live over 1,000 years
In ideal conditions, white oaks can survive for more than a millennium. Some ancient specimens in the U.S. are believed to be over 1,500 years old, meaning they’ve outlived entire civilizations.
6. Wood sort of has memory
Wood fibers can “remember” tension and compression stresses from when they were part of a living tree. This can cause boards to warp or twist when milled, especially if not dried properly.
7. Termites actually prefer softwoods
Contrary to popular belief, most termites don’t like hardwoods. That’s why hardwoods like teak and white oak are valued for outdoor and marine applications. Teak even produces natural oils that repel pests.
8. Hardwoods were once used as early X-ray shielding
Before lead shielding was commonplace, dense hardwoods like walnut were used to help reduce radiation exposure during early X-ray procedures. It wasn’t perfect—but it helped!
9. Purpleheart wood turns brown if you overwork it
This vibrant, naturally purple tropical wood is beloved by woodworkers. But here’s the kicker: if you cut or sand it too aggressively, it oxidizes and turns a dull brown-gray. Careful finishing preserves its purple hue.
10. You can cook with hardwood sawdust (safely)
Well, certain kinds. Food-grade hickory and mesquite sawdust are commonly used for smoking meats, adding flavor without direct heat. But beware: using treated or unknown wood types can be toxic.
10 Houston Facts That Sound Made Up (But Aren’t)
1. Houston has no zoning laws
That’s right, Houston is the largest U.S. city without formal zoning. You can find a club next to a church, or a gas station across from a mansion. It’s chaotic, quirky, and undeniably Houston.
2. It’s home to the world’s first dome stadium
The Astrodome, built in 1965, was the world’s first fully enclosed, air-conditioned stadium. It inspired future domes across the globe and earned the nickname “The Eighth Wonder of the World.”
3. Houston is bigger than the entire state of New Jersey (in land area)
It sounds fake, but Houston spans over 665 square miles, making it geographically larger than cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, or even the entire state of New Jersey (619 square miles).
4. There’s an underground city in Downtown Houston
Over 6 miles of tunnels connect office buildings, shops, and restaurants downtown. Many Houstonians go years without realizing there’s an entire world below their feet.
5. NASA’s “Houston, we have a problem” is slightly wrong
The famous quote from Apollo 13 is actually, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” But the misquote became iconic. Either way, Houston became synonymous with space exploration thanks to NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
6. It’s one of the most diverse cities in America
More than 145 languages are spoken in Houston homes. In fact, it’s more ethnically diverse than New York City, according to census data, with no majority ethnic group.
7. The city hosts the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo brings in over 2 million visitors each year. It’s a mix of country, cattle, fried food, and some of the biggest names in music—think Beyoncé and Willie Nelson.
8. Buffalo Bayou runs through the city; yes, there were buffalo
Buffalo Bayou, now a popular urban waterway, was once home to actual roaming bison. While the buffalo are long gone, the name stuck and now marks one of the city’s key green corridors.
9. A Houston doctor created artificial heart technology
Dr. Denton Cooley performed the first successful human implantation of a total artificial heart in 1969, right here in Houston at the Texas Heart Institute.
10. A traffic jam once lasted 20 hours during Hurricane Rita
In 2005, during the evacuation for Hurricane Rita, traffic on I-45 backed up over 100 miles, trapping drivers on the road for up to 20 hours in sweltering heat. It remains one of the worst evacuations in U.S. history.
Bonus Fun Facts
We figure if you’ve made it this far you are probably intrigued and might want a few additional bonus facts. At Houston Hardwoods we always aim to please, so here are a few additional bonus facts for you.
Trees Talk Through Their Tannins
Some hardwood trees, like willows, can “communicate” with each other. When attacked by insects, they release a chemical signal that prompts nearby trees to produce more tannin, a bitter compound that deters pests. This chemical conversation helps protect entire groves, proving trees are smarter than we think
Houstonians Eat Out More Than Almost Anyone
Houston’s culinary scene is so vibrant that its residents eat out more frequently than those of any other U.S. city, except Atlanta in recent years. From Tex-Mex to barbecue to global cuisines, Houstonians love their restaurants, making it a foodie paradise.
Texas’s Tallest Building Is Five-Sided
The J.P. Morgan Chase Tower in downtown Houston is not only the tallest building in Texas but also the world’s tallest five-sided structure. Its unique pentagonal design makes it a standout in the city’s skyline.
Houston Was Briefly the Capital of Texas
From 1837 to 1839, Houston served as the capital of the Republic of Texas. Named after Sam Houston, the city was the political heart of the young republic before Austin took over. Imagine the history those streets have seen
Why This Matters for Houston Hardwoods
At Houston Hardwoods, we take pride in two things: offering premium lumber and custom woodworking services, and being part of this wonderful city. Whether you’re building a custom project, outfitting a home, or restoring something historic, we’re here to help you get the job done right, with the right species, cut, and finish.
From dense exotics like bubinga to local staples like oak and maple, we offer hand-selected hardwoods and expert guidance, with over 35 years serving Houston’s craftsmen, contractors, and DIYers. We also carry a wide variety of plywood and marine plywood.
Want to learn more about a wood species, milling process, or how to keep your cherry from blotching? Stop by, give us a call, or send us a message.
Wrap-Up
Hardwoods and Houston both have rich, surprising histories, and more than a few unbelievable quirks. Whether you’re here to learn, build, or simply appreciate the fascinating world of wood and the Bayou City, we hope this list gave you something to smile about.
Houston Hardwoods is more than a lumberyard. We’re your local partner in quality materials, expert service, and custom solutions, no matter how unique your project is.