How do you identify white oak?

White oak leaves are simple and arranged alternately on twigs. They are 7 to 9 lobed, 5 to 9 inches long with short petioles. The lobes are rounded without bristle tips and vary in length from leaf to leaf but are rather uniform on the same leaf. Surface color is dull green and paler below.

How can you tell white oak from other oaks?

Generally, oak trees can be identified by their distinctive lobed leaves. White oak leaves usually have rounded tips while red oak leaves generally have pointed tips. White oak leaves tend to have rounded lobes and rounded tips without bristles at the lobe tip.

How do you tell the difference between white oak and red oak?

Red oak varieties usually have pointed tips on their jagged leaves, as well as a smoother appearance to their bark. In contrast, a white oak's more bulbous leaf will be rounded at the tips, and the bark will have deep grooves, giving it a much more textured appearance.

How does a white oak tree look like?

White oak trees have bark that is off-whitish to ashy gray in color. It can be very scaly and platelike. Older trees often have patches of nearly smooth bark. Look at the leaves.

What is special about a white oak tree?

White oak trees are unique because they grow both male and female flowers. The male flowers range between two and four inches long and are green or yellowish in color, while the female flower appears slightly red in color. Acorns are actually fruit from the fertilized female flower.

Identifying White Oak vs. Red Oak Trees

Are white oak trees valuable?

White oak is worth the effort. It's a valuable species for wildlife, the quality of the lumber, and in the cooperage industry to make barrels for high-quality spirits or wine.

Which is more expensive white oak or red oak?

Though flooring prices can fluctuate depending on width and grade, in general for any planks 5” or larger, White Oak is usually a bit more expensive. As Red Oak trees tend to be more abundant, the price of Red Oak flooring can actually be more affordable, so it may be well worth your while to consider choosing Red Oak.

Is white oak better than red oak?

According to the Janka hardness scale, white oak's rating is 1360, while red oak has a 1290 hardness rating. The difference is small, and even if white oak is harder, red oak may still be a better option for its visual appeal.

What wood is similar to white oak?

Available in both sustainably sourced fresh-sawn, or storied reclaimed, Ash is a great alternative to white oak in nearly every application. “When folks are looking for a change from Oak, I often steer them to Ash,” said Rob D'Alessandro of New Energy Works fine woodworking group.

Is my floor red or white oak?

The most significant difference between Red Oak and White Oak flooring is in their color. Surprisingly, White Oak tends to be a bit darker and has more beige and brownish hues, while Red Oak color has more salmon and pink undertones.

What's the difference between white and red oak trees?

Major Differences Between White and Red Oak

Leaf shape: White oaks have soft, rounded edges on their leaves, whereas red oaks have a more striking and pointy leaf shape. Size: White oaks grow to be much larger than red oaks. The former reaches up to 80 feet, while the latter rarely ever goes above 70 feet.

How many different white oaks are there?

Seven species of white oaks (Q. fusiformis, Q. laceyi, Q. mohriana, Q.

Is white oak a hardwood?

White oak is one of the more durable domestic hardwoods available. On the Janka scale, which measures the relative hardness of woods, white oak is rated behind only hickory and maple. But durability is more than just hardness. White oak accepts finishes and stains quite well, which further protect it.

Why is white oak so expensive?

The inventory is low, the demand is at an all-time high and so are the prices. Many are surprised to learn that the availability of white oak is not the issue— as many as 5.2 billion white oak trees cover 235,000 square miles in the United States.

Is white oak wood expensive?

White oak is still the best all-around hardwood and remains in reasonably good supply. It is a valuable, rather expensive wood, but is usually less expensive than cherry and walnut.

Is white oak more expensive than maple?

Oak is generally slightly more expensive than Maple, the cost of the floored depends on the width and length of the floorboards, the grade of the lumber and several other factors.

Does white oak have knots?

White Oak trees are naturally knotty, but the wood can be sorted to obtain “Select” grade wood, which is mostly clear of knots. In addition to the normal Flat cut, White Oak can be cut with a Rift cut, a Quarter cut (or a combination of Rift and Quarter cuts).

Is white oak good firewood?

White and Red Oak Trees produce the best firewood as they both produce a high heat value, long-lasting fire, and clean burn. The best oak trees to burn are the Shumard Oak, Black Oak, Willow Oak, Pin Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Oregon White Oak, Post Oak, Bur Oak, Chestnut Oak, and Swamp White Oak.

Does white oak yellow over time?

Oak, whether red or white, tends to yellow in time with exposure to UV light. The oil-based finish will also yellow in time.

What is a mature white oak worth?

One estimate of its value can be found by multiplying the mean reported for no. 1 common White Oak (425 for Spring of 2012 and 482 in the Fall) by 10 (10,000 board feet divided by 1,000). So you're White Oak is likely worth about $4,250.

What tree is worth the most money?

An African Black Ebony tree from Gabon could be worth a million dollars, if you can find one. Due to its high value many species of Black Ebony are now extinct or on the verge of extinction. The Paulownia may currently be the world's most valuable sustainably harvested hardwood tree.