Species guide

American red oak

Latin name

Quercus spp.

Other Common names

Northern red oak, Southern red oak

Distribution

Widespread throughout Eastern USA. The oaks are by far the largest species group growing in the Eastern hardwood forests. Red oaks grow more abundantly than the white oaks. The red oak group comprises many species, of which about eight are commercial.

General Description

The sapwood of red oak is white to light brown and the heartwood is a pinkish reddish brown. The wood is similar in general appearance to white oak, but with a slightly less pronounced figure due to the smaller rays. The wood is mostly straight grained, with a coarse texture. The red oak tree gets its name because of the colour of the leaves in the “fall” (Autumn).

Working Properties

Red oak machines well, nailing and screwing is good although pre-boring is recommended, and it can be stained and polished to a good finish. It dries slowly with a tendency to split and warp. It has a high shrinkage and can be susceptible to movement in performance.

Physical Properties

The wood is hard and heavy, with medium bending strength and stiffness and high crushing strength. It is very good for steam bending. Southern red oak has a more rapid growth than Northern red oak and tends to be harder and heavier.

Durability

Rated slightly to non-resistant to heartwood decay, moderately easy to treat with preservatives.

Availability

USA:
Abundant. Most widely used species.

Export:
Good availability as lumber and veneer, but less than white oak. Red oak is often classified according to growing regions and marketed as Northern red oak, and Southern red oak.

Main Uses

Construction, furniture, flooring, architectural interiors, internal joinery and mouldings, doors, kitchen cabinets, panelling, coffins and caskets. Not suitable for tight cooperage. Red oak can vary in colour, texture, characteristics and properties according to the growing region. It is therefore recommended that users and specifiers work closely with their suppliers to make sure the wood they order is suited to their specific needs.

Grading

See notes pertaining to regional differences in the grading guide. Excessive mineral color which can be purple to grayish-green streaking will reduce the grade. Red oak is becoming more readily available in fixed widths.

Technical statistics

Specific Gravity (12% M.C.):	Northern red oak: 0.63 Southern red oak: 0.68
Average Weight (12% M.C.):	Northern red oak: 705 kg/m3 Southern red oak: 753 kg/m3
Average Volume Shrinkage (Green to 6% M.C.):	Northern red oak: 10.8 Southern red oak: N/A
Modulus of Elasticity:	Northern red oak: 12,549 MPa Southern red oak: 15,721 Mpa
Hardness:	Northern red oak: 5738 N Southern red oak: 6583 N

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