Oak, American red
Colour
Durability
Density in kg/m3
The TreeThe trees vary according to species but average about 18m to 21 m in height with a diameter of 1.0m.
The TimberThe timber varies in colour from pink to pale reddish-brown, there is usually a reddish cast to the wood although sometimes it approaches white oak in colour. The large rays do not produce such an attractive figure as they do in white oak, and generally speaking, the wood is coarser in texture. The quality of red oak depends greatly on growth conditions, northern red oak. With its comparatively slow rate of growth, compares favourably with northern white oak, while red oak from the southern States is generally of faster growth, and consequently more coarse and open in texture. Red oak weighs about 790 kg/m3 when dried.
DryingDries slowly with a tendancy to warp and split, particularly on end grain.
StrengthSimilar to European Oak.
Working QualitiesHard and heavy with high crushing strength, American Red Oak is nonetheless flexible and excellent for steam bending. Red Oak machines well, though pre-boring is useful as with White Oak
Latin NameQuercus spp., Quercus rubra, Quercus borealis, Quercus falcata, Quercus pagodaefolia, Quercus shumardii
Also known asAmerican red oak, northern red oak (Q. rubra, Q. borealis), southern red oak (Q. falcata), Spanish oak (Q. falcata), swamp red oak (Q. falcata, Q. pagodaefolia), cherrybark oak (Q. falcata, Q. pagodaefolia), shumard red oak (Q. shumardii)
Wood TypeHardwood
TreatabilityDifficult
MoistureMedium
TextureMedium
OriginCanada, USA
Related Case Studies
Sourcing timber
The TDUK Wood Species Database provides practical information on wood species currently or recently available in the UK market.
Before importing any species listed, you must carry out due diligence to ensure compliance with environmental, social and legal standards, including CITES – the international agreement protecting endangered species.
When buying from existing stock, always source through a TDUK member, who will have completed the required due diligence, including CITES checks.
If a species is no longer commercially available, TDUK members can advise on legal, sustainable alternatives that match desired characteristics such as colour, appearance or density.
