Red oak is one of the most well-known and versatile hardwood species. It is a favorite medium for woodworks, for its striking grain patter and workability. Red oak lumber is used for flooring, cabinets, bedroom suits, library furniture, and fine furniture worldwide. It also is widely used in industrial applications such as railroad ties, timbers and trailer truck flooring.
Red oak is a fast-growing species in its early years, able to reach 20ft in 10 years in ideal conditions. It is also a long lives species with some trees reach 300-400 years old.
Acorns from red oaks are great for wildlife such as white-tail deer, turkeys, and squirrels. It is also the most iconic acorn shape, it is used in many logos. (Insert Pic of acorn)
The red oak family also consist of black oak (Q. velutina), scarlet oak (Q. coccinea), pin oak, (Q. palustris), southern red oak (Q. falcata), there are many more oak species that fall in the red oak group.
Black oak is in the red oak group and commonly sawn with northern red oak. The bark is blockier with less flat ridges and the inner bark is bright yellow. The wood itself is usually redder or pinker in color then true northern red oak with more pin knots and interior defects.
