AMERICAN WHITE OAK:
American white oak is one of the most popular species from the U.S. hardwood forests in export markets – and is unique to North America.
LATIN NAME:
Quercus species, mainly Q. alba
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
Northern white oak, southern white oak
WOOD DESCRIPTION:
- White oaks have an attractive grain, like many other oaks grown globally. In general the sapwood of white oak is whitish to light brown and the heartwood is normally light to mid or even dark brown. The difference between the sapwood and heartwood of white oak is less distinct than in red oak. The wood of white oaks is mainly straight grained with medium to coarse texture.
- The wood is figured with medullary rays – a feature of all true (Quercus) oaks – and these in white oak are longer than those of red oak; thus producing a more pronounced figure. The heartwood wood is not porous, so is suitable for wine barrels and exterior use.
MAIN USES:
This sustainably managed wood 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 and moldings and kitchen cabinets. It is also used in certain applications for construction, including structural glue-laminated beams, and other specialist applications.
- Moldings
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Doors
- Cabinets
- Glulam Beams
