Common Alabama Urban Wood Species and their Benefits: Red Oak

Also known as the champion oak, red oak trees can grow 90ft tall and 3ft in diameter. Not only is red oak one of the fastest-growing oak trees, but it also transplants without difficulty, unlike other species.

You can recognize red oak wood by its light to medium brown heartwood with a reddish cast. The sapwood is paler, while quarter sawn has ray fleck patterns. Red elm has a straight grain and coarse or uneven texture. Like other oak wood, this one responds well to steam-bending, and it stains, glues, and finishes quite well.

The main benefits of red oak are:

• Attractive wood grain
• Resistant to wear and tear
• Good water resistance
• Not as likely to warp with sun exposure as other species

Since it’s heavy, stiff, and hard with high shock resistance, red oak is a popular interior design material. It is primarily used for flooring but also interior joinery, decorative veneers, crates, boxes, wall paneling, cabinetry, and other pieces of furniture. 

Red oak fun facts:

• Red oak is named after its fall color and also due to red leaf veins
• Red oak is the most popular hardwood in the United States
• Red oak may live up to 400-450 years