More about oak- part three

llfneN Europeans came ro U U North America they especially valued the white oaks because these species closely resembled the European oaks. They used white oak to build their sailing ships, furniture and wagons. For generations woodworkers preferred the greater strength and durability of the white oaks over the reds. That has changed more recently because the red oaks, a faster growing species, have become more plentiful than the whites and more available in wide widths and long lengths. But white oak remains superior in any application that requires a resistance to decay, such as boats or barrels, or extra strength, such as spokes, rims or handles. When quarter or rift sawn the white oaks show more figure than the red, so they are most prized as veneers. In recent years the finest white oak logs, called veneer logs, have been exported to Europe where they bring exceptional prices.

As with other oaks, geography plays a crucial role in the growth of the best white oak timber. Again the lumber manufacturers of the Appalachian region produce some of the best white oak lumber. Only two species of white oak usually reach the commercial market from that regionthe true white oak (Quercus albo) and forkedleaf white oak which assures a uniformity in workability, texture and color. Exceptional white oak lumber comes also from a broad area that includes much of Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri. As one experienced lumberman put it, "the best bourbon and the best white oak come from the same counties. "

From other regions of the country lumber buyers expect less uniformity. The white oaks that grow to the north, especially around the Great Lakes. represent a wide variety of species. The northern logs are usually smaller than the Appalachian logs, thus providing more limited dimensions in lumber. The white oaks that grow in the lowlands of the south generally make the poorest product because of difficulties in seasoning such lumber. Like the sw:rmp red oak, swamp white oak is tough and stringy. It is best used for ties and timbers.

The hardwoods that produce fine lumber in the eastern portion of the United States normally do nor develop a good product in the west. Soil conditions and limited rainfall restrict the growth of hardwood trees west of the Rockies, making them impractical for saw logs. Nevertheless, some Western distribution yards will stock black oak (Quercus kiiloggi) from sourhern

White oak resembles European oak. Appalachia, Ken. tucky, Tennessee produce some of the best. . . black oak found in West . live oak, dry oak thrive in dry climate . . other oaks found south ol the border.

Oregon and California. This rree grows best between 2500 and 450Gfoot elevations in the Sierras.

Reasonably good timber also grows in the foothills surrounding the northern Sacramento Valley. Most black oak lumber ends up in pallets, crating and dunnage, but the clears have been used in place of e:rsrern white oak. Although black oak is extremely difficult to dry, some cabinet plants have used it successfully in mass production. The craftsperson, however, will find greater workability and consistency in the slstern varieties of oak.

Several other types ofoak also grow in the dry climate of the west. Live oak (Quercus virginiana), sometimes sawn nezu the California coast, belongs to the oak family although its grain is dissimilar to other oaks. The "tan oak" (L i t hococpus densifiorousl from California, although sometimes usd for furniture, is characteristically unstable. The tannin obtained from its bark gives it its only commercial value.

Many species of oak grow south of the American border. True oaks grow in the lower altitudes of southern Mexico and in the higher altitudes of the Sierra Madre, but generally these are used only for local consumption. Other oaks grow throughout Central America and into the northern regions of South America. Trees in these warm climates produce dense, dark-colored, tough wood which is usually unsuited for fine woodworking.

This is the third article in a mini-seria on oqk. Author Gage McKinney is a contributing editor with a w,ide background in hardwoods-ed.