AMERICAN WHITE OAK
Family: Fagaceae

Commercial Names:
White oak, chestnut oak, overcup oak, sawmp chestnut oak (USA).

Distribution:
Eastern USA and South Eastern Canada.

General Description:
Straight grain, with the characteristic silver grain on quartered material. Medium to coarse textured.

Color:
Varies in color from pale yellow-brown to biscuit with a pinkish tint, similar to European oak.

Weight:
Average 760 kg/m3 (47 lb/ft3).

Specific Gravity:
.76.

Mechanical Properties:
•  Bending strength – Medium
•  Crushing strength – Medium
•  Stiffness – Low
•  Steam bending – Excellent

Seasoning:
Dries relatively slowly with a tendency to check, split and honeycomb, and requires careful handling for air drying and kilning. There is medium movement in service.

Working properties:
Vary according to rate of growth. Slow grown oak being much easier to work with hand and machine tools. The timber takes nails and screws well, although pre-boring is advised; its gluing properties are variable; stains and polishes to a good finish.

Durability:
Logs are liable to severe insect attack. The heartwood is durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment, and the sapwood is moderately resistant.

Uses:
•  Furniture and cabinet making
•  Heavy construction
•  Parquet and strip flooring
•  Pews and pulpits
•  Joinery