White oak

Origin: widespread in all the eastern part of the United States.

Latin name.
Quercus alba.

Natural vegetation area.
Various species of the Quercus (Oaks) botanical genus grow in the United States. They are never considered singularly, but are marketed in two groups with the following denominations: Red Oaks and White Oaks.
The White Oaks group mainly covers the central and south-east regions.

TRUNK CHARACTERISTICS.
Large sized trees. They reach heights of 35-28 metres, with diameters up to 150 metres. The shape and bearing of the trunk are irregular and basically feature the same aspect as deciduous European oaks.

WOOD APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS.
The sapwood may be brownish, grayish or whitish, whereas the heartwood draws towards dark brown in the white oaks.
The white oak features a rather straight grain with more or less marked veining (from medium to large) and longer pith rays compared to the red oak. Therefore the white oak has a richer figure.

Specific weight in the fresh condition.
In the fresh condition 950 kg/m³ on average; after normal seasoning 700 kg/m³.

Histological structure.
Coarse texture, mostly straight grain except in proximity to knots.

Shrinkage.
From medium to high.

Mechanical characteristics.
Axial compression strength 50 N/mm² on average; bending strength 105 N/mm²; hardness from medium to high; the impact behaviour is good.

Modulus of elasticity.
12,500 MPa

Most frequent structural defects and alteration.
Irregular shape of the trunks, abundance of big knots, internal stresses.

Durability.
White oaks wood appears to be sufficiently resistant to alterations.

 

Texts taken from: “Manuale tecnico del legno”, FNALA CNA LEGNO LEGNO, by Prof. Ing. Guglielmo Giordano.

 

Species available for the following products: