White Oak (Quercus spp.)

White Oak (Quercus spp.) is composed of at least 275 to 500 species that can be separated into three groups based upon their microanatomy: the live or evergreen oak group, the red oak group (Erythrobalanus) and the white oak group. Species within each group look alike microscopically. The word quercus is the classical Latin name of oaks, said to be derived from Celtic fine and tree.

Grades Available: Fas/1Face, Select, #1 Common, #2 Common

Sizes Available: 4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4

Distribution: Widely distributed throughout the Unites States.

The Tree: Oaks can reach a height of 125’ ft, with large diameters.

General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of oak is white to very light brown, while the heartwood is light to dark brown in the white oak group. Oak wood has a course texture; it is heavy, straight-grained, hard, tough, very stiff, and strong. Fast-grown oak, with wide rings, is stronger and heavier than slow-grown oak.

Working Properties: Oak wood has good working properties. It machines and glues well and holds fasteners extremely well. It tends to split when nailed, unless predrilled. Oak finishes well, bur shrinks considerably. The heartwood of the white oak is resistant to impregnation with preservatives.

Durability: Very resistant.

Uses: Ships, railroad crossties, timber bridges, tannin dyes, fuel wood, hardwood dimensions and flooring, furniture, veneer, plywood, barrels, truck and trailer beds, mining timbers, kegs and casks (white oak group), containers, pallets, caskets, boxes, paneling.