It is popularly used in railway ties, fuel and fencing. White Oak Janka rating is 1,360 (slightly harder than red oak). An overriding characteristic of this oak wood is it’s distinct, usually wide, light and dark brown growth rings. Question: What is the proper name of the gray oak? Willow Oak. However, white oak trees are generally not the best timber trees because they aren’t very straight and are usually branched low. Look for a "lobe and sinus" pattern on the … One quality of … Rachel worked as a farm manager for 3 years in Pennsylvania. Eastern and southeastern Asia. These include: Just like red oak, white oak is also found in great abundance in North America. Now that you know the most popular types of oak wood, which one are you going to use for your home? Great Britain’s five species of oak As we have said, although there are 600 species of oak worldwide, there are just five common oak trees to be found in Great Britain, two native and three imported. Pink oak wood is typically sold as red oak however, it is known to be somewhat weaker and inferior in quality compared to other types of oak wood, perhaps because it contains many small knots. But most importantly, the reason why you often see such a plethora of types of oak wood is because there is no single type of oak tree. Pin oak has quite a distinctive shape that is found to be extremely unique among other hardwoods. Your hub has inspired me to take a look at the parent tree and see if I can find any clues about which type or oak tree it is. White oak is highly popular among woodworkers and many people for flooring and construction. This list includes a few of the more common white and red oak species found in the US and a little information about how to identify them. It consists of medium to large sized pores and slightly coarse grain texture. Their inner bark is red-orange. The wood of this oak is dark brown in appearance and is found to be super heavy, tough, hard and close-grained. Oak (especially American white oak) is far and away the most common type of wood used for making whiskey. Identifying Oak Leaves Learn to identify oak leaves. This oak wood is super famous for furniture and interior work. Black oak has quite a tell-tale smell that is commonly found in other types of oak and is also considered to be very appealing by most people. Some can only be distinguished by looking at the "hairs" on their stems, the colors of their acorn caps, or the number and shape of the lobes on their leaves. Holm or Holly Oak (quercus ilex) Their trunk bark is also more deeply ridged than that of other white oak species. LongTimeMother from Australia on January 28, 2013: I planted an oak tree today. I love "hunting" oak in the woods on and surrounding the property where I live. Pin Oak, also known as swamp Spanish Oak is native to the Eastern United States and is one of the most commonly used oaks due to its relatively fast growth, ease of transplant, and pollution tolerance. I have voted this up, interesting and useful and shared and pinned. Heights range from 60 to 150 feet and generally depend on the environment each tree grows in. Black Oak. There are a number of common oak species in California including both tree species and shrub species. There is a variety of oak wood that falls under the red oak species. Also, where can you buy metal tags for your oak trees? Trunk diameters for bur oaks typically range from 2 to 3 feet. Additonal Oak tree photos, images, pics and facts on different types of oak trees can be found at the Oak Tree Pictures category page at Tree-Pictures.com. These trees are large, usually growing to between 70 and 100 feet tall, with trunk diameters easily reaching 3 feet. It mainly grows in North America and has a very straight-grained look with a coarse texture. More pictures, and photos of oak trees can be viewed at Oak Tree Pics. In terms of rot resistance, this type of oak wood is considered to fall between slightly durable and non-durable. Be it a new cupboard, a coffee table or a lavish dining table, the variety of oak wood you can use is endless. https://www.treehugger.com/common-oaks-north-america-4174951 She owned and operated a small farm in Minnesota for 5 years, until 2019. This type of oak wood is commonly found in the Eastern United States and sports medium reddish-brown color appearance; however, you can expect variation in color and shade. Glad you liked the article! You can tell pin oaks from other red oaks by their downward-sloping lower branches. Live oak Live oak is one of the famous types of oak tree which is known for its beauty and evergreen color. Northern red oaks are used for many commercial products such as fence posts, railroad ties, floors and cabinets. Oak trees are known for their extreme heights, unique acorns and hardwood. Have you ever wondered why oak is considered to be the most attractive and sturdiest of hardwoods available out there? Straight-grained red oak splits very nicely into fence boards and roof shingles and is known to burn hot and split well for firewood. California Black Oak. Imagine how many there would be if you were to combine all the different types of oak trees growing all across the globe? Not only this but the fact that it sports a steel-like structure and contains some amazing rich tones make it an absolute favorite among woodworkers, carpenters and furniture makers. Alder is a hardwood which is slowly gaining a rising popularity due to its natural … The bark of this tree is somewhat medium grayish and really rugged as well. Cherrybark Oak. The tree species listed in this section are white oaks that are common in the US. Rachel Koski Nielsen (author) from Pennsylvania, now farming in Minnesota on August 08, 2012: Lady_E - Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Otherwise I'll just have to wait an awfully long time to see what its bark looks like. The limbs of a live oak are strong and thick, and the tree is one of the slower growing varieties of oak trees. Bur oak is one of the largest types of oaks, with a trunk diameter going up to 10 ft. Bur oak wood is one of the finest qualities of wood found in the white oak group and also highly durable. :). Oak furniture is related with the medieval times. Willow oak, in particular, consists of fine grain and a slight appearance of pores. I love to play the identification game, seeing if I know which oak is which. However, it has proven to be exceptionally valuable to woodworkers, one of the reasons why it’s popularly used in cabinet and furniture making. About 150 species. Their leaves have many pairs of rounded teeth—sometimes as many as 16. This species' common name may derive from its historical use in the making of fence posts. Overall Shape. What’s even more fascinating is that the Latin name of Oak is Quercus Robur which translates to “strength” in the English language. Answer: You should do a soil test where you want to plant the trees. Oak Tree Identification. These are medium-sized trees that usually grow to between 40 to 50 feet tall, with trunk diameters ranging from 1 to 2 feet and occasionally reaching 3. Compared to red oak, white oak has longer grain rays and allows for fairly little water penetration. This type of oak wood is also referred to as Kellogg Oak and is typically found in great abundance in the Western United States. It commonly appears in a brownish-red color with slight shade variations. This wood is particularly famous for shelving, furniture, and other similar home fixtures. Red oaks tend to have pointier lobes on their leaves compared to white oaks, and their acorns take two years to mature. It has high resisting power to resist any rough climate or soil condition. Related: Types of Lumber | Types of Hardwood Flooring | Types of Pine Wood | Types of Mahogany Wood | Types of Cherry Wood | Lumber Dimensions | Types of Walnut Wood | Types of Ash Wood | Types of Beech Wood | Types of Acacia Wood | Types of Poplar Wood | Types of Ebony Wood | Types of Cedar Wood | Types of Alder Wood | Types of Teak Wood | Types of Tiger Wood | Types of Hickory Wood | Types of Fir Wood | Types of Plywood | What is MDF Board. Keep in mind designs that we see today are a recreation where each piece… . Perhaps, the best and easiest way to be able to do that is by learning about the different types of oak wood, their features, and characteristics. Common Oak Tree Types. I have pictures. Their acorn cups are brown and hairless. The acorns are an important food source for wildlife. If you have extremely harsh winters, you can wait until the spring. Learn to identify a few of the more common oak species based on their bark, leaves, and other characteristics. No point waiting to see how tall it grows. A very interesting fact about bur oak is that it has been used by many Native Americans to treat broken bones, diarrhea, heart ailments and as an astringent, i.e. I didn't always know there were so many different types of trees, either. Question: I live on land that was once a pine tree preserve. There’s nothing quite like standing under a giant, ancient oak with a five-foot trunk diameter and gazing up into the treetop. The willow oak wood is primarily used for pulp and paper production and many times for lumber. Sometimes called the "mossycup oak" because of the fringe on its acorn cups, this tree usually grows to be more than 80 feet tall and can reach heights of up to 150 feet. Still, the wood is found to be hard and heavy which is why some of its typical uses include firewood and general construction. Popular Types of Oak Wood. Most people know what an oak tree is and can probably even identify certain trees as oaks when they see them. Black oak wood, also referred to as Eastern Black Oak is popularly found in the region of Eastern North ... 2. Their bark is medium-dark to dark-gray and furrowed. to close bleeding wounds. List goes on and on! They produce excellent wood for all varieties of interior and exterior construction and are known for their phenomenal rot-resistance. I love oak trees for several reasons, one being their inherent beauty, and another being the many uses of their wood—fence posts, fence rails, barrels, casks, boards, and furniture are just a few. Their inner bark is orange but less red than that of the northern red oak. Their trunk bark is typically light-gray and furrowed. Right now the squirrels are working the oak trees--in fact, I have to wear a hat when I go outside to help cushion my head from the falling acorns! Thanks! Once you know what's up with your soil, you can ask the Extension for their expertise. The red oak, also called Quercus Rubra in Latin produces some of the most common types of oak wood. 4. 10 Main Types of Oak Wood for Flooring and Furniture. Oak trees produce both male and female flowers that use the wind to self-pollinate. White Oak. Question: Is the northern red oak worth any money? The live oak owes its name to the fact that the tree is evergreen rather than deciduous, as most other oak species are. These trees generally grow to between 70 and 100 feet tall, with trunk diameters ranging from 3 to 4 feet. The bark on their trunks tends to be very dark, whereas most other white oak group members have light-gray bark. Defining features: A medium-sized oak with a straight trunk, long spreading branches, and thin, papery bristle-tipped leaves.. There are both deciduous and evergreen species and some are semi-evergreen. It comes in a number of hues which is why it can take on so many different amazing looks. Eastern white oak wood also burns very hot, so it's a great choice for home-heating or cooking with wood. Another popular type of oak is Red Oak. Thanks for the great info. Red oak leaves usually come to a point at the end of each lobe, while the lobes of white oak leaves tend to be rounded. 3. Oak, Live Common Name: Live Oak Quercus virginiana Tree Size: Large Leaf Type: Evergreen Comments: The Escarpment Live Oak is a closely related native species more suited to Central and West Texas. Hardwood floors made using red oak usually have a reddish tone, thus the name. Pin Oak. Southern Red Oak or Spanish Oak (Quercus falcata)Native region: North America . In England, English oak (Quercus robur) is the most common variety. Their leaves are their best identifier and are usually glossy or shiny on top, which distinguishes them from the leaves of most other red oak trees. The shiny leaves of these trees are variable but are usually divided into two or more portions and display the typical rounded lobes of the white oak group. Many types of oak can also cross with other types, so there is great potential for new species to be reported and characterized. Question: When should I trim dead oak branches? The house’s original owner told me that it was an Italian oak. Such popularity majorly comes from the fact that oak has been a national symbol of survival, endurance and strength for centuries and the oak tree has also been chosen as the national tree by several countries like Germany, USA, France, Romania, Serbia, and many others. I'm more the wiser now, thanks to you. One of the most distinctive features of chestnut oak is its massive dark gray-brown ridged bark that is believed to be the thickest of any oak found in North America. Like red oak, white oak also is abundant in North America. Here is a guide to help you identify them in both summer and winter. Learning the difference is the first step to identifying an oak leaf. It has a light to medium reddish-brown color, however; there can come with a slight variation in their color some times. Southern red oaks, sometimes called Spanish oaks, prefer sandy upland soil and are often confused with cherrybark oaks. Or why it is the most popular choice of wood used in flooring and furniture by most people? Answer: Quercus grisea; it is in the white oak group. Subgenus Quercus. Which tree would be perfect for this type of soil? To help narrow down a specific tree, they can be distinguished into two basic categories by leaf shape alone: red oaks and white oaks. Their leaves have only three lobes, and the lobes tend to be irregularly spaced. All oaks trees are deciduous trees with toothed leaves and … Some of the most common uses of black oak include flooring, veneer, furniture, interior trim and furniture making. However, in the wild, white oak trees tend to have really broad leaves with rounded lobes that help provide overshadowing shade. I really enjoyed writing this one; I just love oak trees. But did you know there are more than 60 different species of oak trees in the United States alone? While white oak tends to look more beige-to-brown and red oak looks rosier, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between the various types of oak based on color alone. While there is a huge variety of oak wood, due to a large number of oak trees present, there are two major popular oak wood species or groups, each containing a list of classifications of oak wood. Gardeners can landscape with native oak trees for this region since the soil-type requirements vary greatly, depending on the type of tree selected. In-depth descriptions and bark/leaf photos of each species appear below in the order they are presented in this table. 1. Types of Oak Furniture, It isn’t easy to add character and style to your room, but only oak furniture can achieve that. White oak acorns take one year to reach maturity, while red oak acorns take two years. Trunk diameters range from 3 to 5 feet. White oaks tend to have rounder lobes on their leaves compared to red oaks, and their acorns take only one year to mature. Oak, any of about 450 species of trees and shrubs constituting the genus Quercus in the beech family (Fagaceae), distributed throughout the north temperate zone and at high altitudes in the tropics. Can you please tell me what kind of oak, on my property, had a ruffled bark? I didn't know there were different types. Red oak wood takes on a pinkish-red hue and the red oak trees consist of broad, lobed leaves. These are huge trees that can easily reach heights of over 100 feet and trunk diameters of more than 4. Chestnut oak, a species of the white oak group is native to the Eastern United States. Post oak bark is brown rather than gray and has shallow cracks that create the look of rectangular boxes. It has a fairly coarse and grainy texture with the appearance of medium to large pores. If you were to tell apart the different types of oak wood just by looking at the color, it would be quite an impossible task because many oak wood types can be quite similar and difficult to differentiate. Alder Wood. It consists of spear-shaped foliage that appears as a bright green color during spring, changes to dark green in the summer, and turns into red, yellow and orange shades in the fall season. Black oak also tends to split well and make very good firewood. Open spaces allow the eastern white oak to branch out and develop a wide silhouette, whereas those growing in a denser forest tend to become taller. Their bark is dark and furrowed, and their wood is good for splitting and burning. The smaller trunk diameter makes squaring these logs easy and fast, and the rot-resistant wood makes for long-lasting fence material. Rachel Koski Nielsen (author) from Pennsylvania, now farming in Minnesota on August 02, 2012: Grandmapearl - Thanks so much for the votes and shares!