Which hardwood is light brown with open grain, tough, resists splitting and is durable outdoors and indoors?

• A. Elm
• B. Balsa
• C. Walnut
• D. Teak

Answer: (A)

Think about a wood that looks light and shows its grain clearly. A light brown color with an open grain means you can see the pores in the wood, and the wood isn’t dense and dark. Elm fits this description well: it’s typically pale to light brown and has a noticeable open grain, with visible pores that give it a lively texture.

Elm is also known for being tough and elastic, which helps it resist splitting when it’s worked or used in construction and furniture. That combination—being strong, not prone to cracking, and usable both outdoors and indoors—makes it a versatile choice.

Balsa is too soft and light, not durable enough for regular use. Walnut is usually dark brown with a tighter, less open grain. Teak is very durable outdoors and has a more uniform, golden-brown appearance with a smoother grain, rather than the open-grain look described. So the wood that best matches all those properties is elm.