I really think they should teach this in school because unless you are a wood expert (or someone who likes to Google this) how and why would you ever know the major difference in wood characteristics. So here it is. Simple and straight forward.

Oak: Oak’s coarser natural texture results in a defined straight grain that’s more open and casual than elegant. Oak’s porous nature makes it extremely absorbent: The darker the stain, the more apparent the grain pattern. Among the most common cabinetry woods, oak’s durability and finishing characteristics has made it a common choice.

Pecan/Hickory: Pecan is one of the strongest and heaviest used American woods, and is a member of the hickory family. With colors ranging from white to a red brown, it’s color and grain pattern varies greatly. This straight and fine grain accepts medium to dark finishes and bleaches well. With a natural or light finish, Pecan has a wild grain pattern with a lot of variation. It looks right at home in a rustic or country setting.

Alder: Once dismissed because of its weed-like growing habits, the Pacific Northwest’s most abundant hardwood is one of the most in-demand options. Consistent in color, alder tends to range from a pale pinkish-brown to almost white. Because it has a close grain and readily accepts stain, alder can imitate maple and cherry. Alder is classified as a ‘hard wood’, however, it is significantly softer than maple or cherry.

Red Birch: Birch is a strong, durable, closed grained wood with a very even texture. In a natural finish the grain patterns allow for an iridescent appearance. This species looks similar to cherry wood but doesn’t darken dramatically like cherry does.

Maple: Generally a straight, tight grain, but expect occasional wavy eye patterning. Maple’s consistent grain pattern allows it to easily adapt to both traditional and contemporary designs, making it easy to see why maple is the number one wood choice for cabinetry. A very durable wood, maple finishes well, making it an excellent choice for stains and glazes.

Cherry: Cherry is a smooth, even grained hardwood known for its warm, rich look. Cherry will range from deep red to reddish-brown color. Cherry ‘mellows’ and darkens with age; exposure to sunlight will cause the wood to darken and redden significantly.