Oak, red

Botanical name: Quercus rubra, Q. coccinea, Q. shumardii, Q. palustris, Q. nuttallii, Q. velutina, Q. falcata, Q. falcata var. pagodaefolia, Q. nigra, Q. laurifolia, Q. phellos

Other names: US: red oak, northern red o., scarlet o., Shumard o., pin o., Nuttall o., black o., southern red o., cherrybark o., water o., laurel o.,willow o.UK: American red oak FR: chêne rouge d'Amerique DE: roteiche VL: Amerikaans rood eiken NL: Rood eiken, inlands Amerikaans eiken

The sapwood is nearly white and roughly 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in.) wide. The heartwood is brown with a tinge of red. Sawn lumber of the red oak group cannot be separated by species on the basis of wood characteristics alone. Red oak lumber can be separated from white oak by the size and arrangement of pores in latewood and because it generally lacks tyloses in the pores. The open pores of red oak make this species group unsuitable for tight cooperage, unless the barrels are lined with sealer or plastic. Quartersawn lumber of the oaks is distinguished by its broad and conspicuous rays. Wood of the red oaks is heavy. Rapidly grown secondgrowth wood is generally harder and tougher than finer textured old-growth wood. The red oaks have fairly high shrinkage upon drying.

The red oaks are primarily cut into lumber, railroad crossties, mine timbers, fence posts, veneer, pulpwood, and fuelwood. Ties, mine timbers, and fence posts require preservative treatment for satisfactory service. Red oak lumber is remanufactured into flooring, furniture, general millwork, boxes, pallets and crates, agricultural implements, caskets, wooden ware, and handles. It is also used in railroad cars and boats.