Red Oak

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.