White Oak

Distribution

White oak trees grow exclusively in North America and are widely distributed throughout most of the eastern United States in mixed hardwood forests. As with red oak there are many sub-species, all within the white oak classification, and together form the most common species group accounting for about 33% of the American hardwood resource. The trees are tall and easily identified by their rounded leaf form, turning brown in the fall. White oak also grows 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 white oak depending on location, in particular between the slower grown northern and faster grown southern trees. As with red oak, they are regarded as sustainable for both domestic and export consumption.

FIA data shows U.S. white oak growing stock is 2.26 billion m3, 15.5% of total U.S. hardwood growing stock. American white oak is growing 40.1 million m3 per year while the harvest is 20.1 million m3 per year. The net volume (after harvest) is increasing 20.0 million m3 each year. U.S. white oak growth exceeds harvest in all major supplying states.

White oak from the USA is readily available as sawn lumber and veneer, in a wide range of grades and sizes. Due to lengthy drying times not all suppliers offer thicker lumber stock (10/4" & 12/4") but it is available in limited volumes. In the north the sapwood tends to be less than in the south where, due to the shorter growing season, the wood is grown faster with more open grain and texture. White 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.