Red Oak

Species Detail

The Basics

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 on the basis of ‘northern’, ‘southern’ and ‘Appalachian’.

In general the sapwood of red oak 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 oak is generally straight-grained and coarse textured.

Scientific Name

Quercus rubra

Also Known As

Red Oak, Northern & Southern Red Oak

Avg. Board Length

Avg. Dried Weight

3.7 lbs/bdft

6’ – 16’

6” – 10”

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4, 12/4. 16/4

Avg. Board Width

Common Thicknesses

Species

Overview

Where It Comes From

Growth

Distribution

Red oak trees grow only naturally and almost exclusively in North America, although planted elsewhere. They are widely distributed throughout most of the eastern United States in mixed hardwood forests. The trees are very tall. There are many sub-species, all within the red oak classification, which grow from north to south; some high in the mountains and others on low land giving rise to different characteristics. Thus there are significant variations in red oak depending on location, in particular between the slower grown northern and faster grown southern trees. Red oak are regarded as highly sustainable for both domestic and export consumption and, being the largest species group, are more abundant than the white oak.

FIA data shows U.S. red oak growing stock is 2.62 billion m3, 18% of total U.S. hardwood growing stock. American red oak is growing 60.6 million m3 per year while the harvest is 31.9 million m3 per year. The net volume (after harvest) is increasing 28.7 million m3 each year. U.S. red oak growth exceeds or is in balance with harvest in all states except Texas.

Red oak is readily available as sawn lumber and veneer, in a wide range of grades and sizes. Thicker lumber (10/4" & 12/4") can be sourced in relatively small volumes from specialist suppliers, but is widely produced through out the hardwood industry from 4/4" (25.4mm) through to 8/4" (52mm). In the north the sapwood tends to be less due to the shorter growing season, than in the south where the wood is grown faster with more open grain and texture. Red oak may be sold on the basis of 'northern' and 'southern', but this may be an over-simplification of the differences according to growing location.

0-4K

4-8K

8-12K

12-16K

16-20K

20-24K

Volume of live trees on forest land, 1000 m³

Uses

Common

Applications

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, mouldings and kitchen cabinets. It is also used in certain applications for construction.

Interesting loft and modern furniture made from Red Oak.

Red Oak paneling used in the Bloomberg European headquaters.

Finishes

Finding the

Right Finish

Species Variations

Vibrance in

Variation

Similar to White Oak, Red Oak is often produced using the rift sawn and quarter sawn methods, each offering unique visual and structural benefits. Rift sawn red oak is cut at angles that minimize the visibility of the growth rings, resulting in a tight, straight grain with minimal flecking, ideal for a sleek, contemporary look. Quarter sawn red oak, in contrast, is cut at an angle to the growth rings, typically between 60 to 90 degrees, which highlights the wood’s medullary rays, producing a distinctive grain pattern with more pronounced flecking and figure. Both sawing styles enhance the durability and stability of the wood, making them suitable for high-quality flooring, cabinetry, and furniture.