Wooden planks and boards hanging on display in The Woodwork Shop, secured with chains.

The best selection within 200 miles

Domestic Hardwoods in Memphis

For many woodworkers, domestic hardwoods are the backbone of the craft—reliable, versatile, and deeply familiar. At The Woodwork Shop, we stock a wide selection of domestic hardwood lumber in Memphis, chosen for quality, consistency, and how it actually works in the shop.

As the only dedicated woodworking retailer within 200 miles, we serve woodworkers across Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and the broader Mid-South. Whether you’re building furniture, cabinetry, trim, or learning the craft for the first time, our domestic hardwood selection is one of the reasons customers continue to make the drive.

Beginner projects to heirloom work

Domestic hardwoods are where many woodworkers begin—and where many stay. Poplar, pine, and maple are forgiving and approachable. Cherry, walnut, oak, and hickory reward patience and experience. Our staff are all woodworkers, and we’re happy to help you choose the right species for your project, your tools, and your skill level.

We’ll never push you toward something you don’t need. We’ll help you understand how a wood behaves, how it finishes, and where it shines—or struggles—before you commit.

Wood you can see before you buy

Buying hardwood online can be a gamble. Grain, color variation, and figure matter. At The Woodwork Shop, you can inspect boards in person, compare options side by side, and select material with confidence. It’s one of the reasons professionals and serious hobbyists alike keep coming back.

Worth the drive

If you’re searching for domestic hardwood lumber near Memphis, or anywhere in the Mid-South, you won’t find a more complete or knowledgeable source nearby. Customers routinely travel from up to 200 miles away because selection, experience, and trust still matter. If you are driving in from out of town, give us a call and let us know you’re coming—we’ll make sure we have what you’re looking for and can even pull some samples for you.

Stop in, look through the racks, and find the wood your next project deserves.

Domestic hardwoods currently in stock

We regularly carry a broad range of domestic species, including:

  • Alder

  • Aromatic Red Cedar

  • Ash

  • Basswood

  • Birch

  • Cherry

  • Cypress

  • Hickory

  • Maple

    • Ambrosia Maple

    • Birdseye Maple

    • Hard Maple

    • Soft Maple

  • Mahogany

  • Oak

    • Red Oak

    • White Oak

  • Osage Orange

  • Poplar

  • Walnut

  • White Pine

  • Yellowheart

Inventory shifts as material moves, but we focus on keeping the species woodworkers actually need—along with figured and specialty cuts that are harder to source locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • S3S means Surfaced Three Sides. The board has been planed smooth on both faces and one edge, leaving the final edge rough. This gives you flat, workable lumber while still allowing flexibility to joint and size the board precisely for your project. It’s a common standard in hardwood shops and a good balance between usability and customization.

  • One board foot equals a piece of wood that is 12 inches wide × 12 inches long × 1 inch thick. Pricing by the board foot allows you to pay for the exact amount of material you need, rather than buying pre-sized boards that may not fit your project.

  • Yes. To calculate board feet, use this formula:

    (Thickness in inches × Width in inches × Length in inches) ÷ 144

    If you’re unsure, our staff is always happy to help you calculate it in-store.

  • Yes. We offer one cut free with every purchase to help make transport easier or get material closer to your final size. Additional cuts may be available depending on the project and equipment availability—just ask.

  • You can absolutely buy small quantities. Whether you need a single board for a small project or enough lumber for a full build, we sell hardwoods in quantities that make sense for your work. We just ask that if you buy part of a longer board, you leave at least six linear feet for the next woodworker.

  • Yes. You’re welcome to call for current pricing on any domestic hardwood species we carry. Availability and pricing can change as inventory moves, so calling ahead is often the quickest way to get accurate information.

  • Our hardwoods are sold raw and unfinished, which means the grain and color may look muted at first. Once a finish is applied—oil, lacquer, shellac, or polyurethane—the grain will “pop,” and the natural color and figure will deepen significantly. This is normal and expected, and one of the most satisfying parts of working with real hardwood.

  • This is not a big box lumber yard selling southern yellow pine, so yes. The best way to buy hardwood is to see it for yourself and pick out the exact board you want. Grain, color variation, figure, and character differ from board to board, even within the same species. Shopping in person lets you choose boards that match your project and expectations.

  • Poplar, soft maple, pine, and basswood are popular choices for beginners because they’re more forgiving to cut, plane, and sand. Our staff can help you choose a species that fits your tools, skill level, and project goals.

  • Cherry, walnut, hard maple, white oak, and hickory are commonly used for furniture and cabinetry. Each has different strengths in hardness, grain, color, and finishing behavior, and we’re happy to help you decide what works best for your design.

  • Yes. In addition to standard stock, we regularly carry figured domestic hardwoods such as ambrosia maple and birdseye maple, depending on availability. These materials are popular for furniture, accents, and statement pieces. And they move fast, so sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media to see what we are getting in stock each week.

  • Our domestic hardwoods are properly kiln-dried for woodworking use. This ensures stability and reduces the risk of warping or movement when the wood is brought into a controlled shop or home environment.

  • We sell to everyone—professionals, serious hobbyists, and first-time woodworkers alike. You don’t need a business account or minimum purchase to buy domestic hardwoods from us. And if you’re a beginner, welcome! We want to help you on your journey.

  • Customers regularly travel up to 200 miles to shop our hardwood selection. As the only dedicated woodworking retailer within that range, we’re a regional destination for quality lumber and knowledgeable service.