AMERICAN RED OAK:
American red oak is the dominant species in the U.S. hardwood forests – with distinctive grain, and wood that is not always red in color. The name comes from the leaf color in the fall. Red oak may be sold based on ‘northern’, ‘southern’ and ‘Appalachian’.
LATIN NAME:
Quercus species, mainly Quercus rubra
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
Northern red oak, southern red oak
WOOD DESCRIPTION:
- In general, the sapwood of red oaks is light brown, and the heartwood is often, but not always, pinkish to reddish brown. The color difference between the sapwood and heart wood is quite distinct. The wood of red oaks is generally straight-grained and coarse textured.
- The wood is figured with medullary rays – a feature of all true (Quercus) oaks – smaller in red oak than white oak. The wood is porous, and easily identified from the end grain, so not suitable for wine barrels.
MAIN USES:
This sustainably managed species group from natural forests of North America, with excellent environmental credentials, is a key species in many export markets. Its main uses are in furniture, flooring, doors, architectural joinery, moldings, and kitchen cabinets. It is also used in certain applications for construction.
- Moldings
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Doors
- Cabinets
