The current National Register of Big Trees lists a tree 44 feet tall and almost five feet in diameter, growing in Bedford, NH, as the champion. It occasionally has nice arrays of bark fleck. The wood is tough and hard with a fine, close grain. The wood is diffuse-porous. It has a gradual transition from earlywood to latewood with distinct growth rings.
Pores are fine, solitary and numerous.
The abundant rays are very fine and narrow, usually two-seriate. Neither pores nor rays are visible without a hand lens. Apple dries with difficulty but with care and coaxing, the strong tendency to warp and check can be minimized. Once dry, the wood remains stable. The wood machines well with hand or power tools, but sharp cutters are a necessity.