Search for

Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Comments Common Names Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Mortising Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Abrasion Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Quercus lobata Trade Name Valley oak Family Name Fagaceae Common Names California white oak, Valley oak, Valley white oak Regions of Distribution North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] United States Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Status has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview found in northern and southern California, as well as Santa Cruz and the Santa Catalina islands. It grows at elevations of up to 5000 feet (1524 m). It prefers rich loamy soils in valleys and slopes, and forms groves in foothill woodlands. A relative of Eastern white oak (Q. alba), Valley oak is common through California's interior valleys. Heartwood Color Black Brown Yellow Pink Pinkish tinge Color and grain variation among boards are considerable, but it is lesser than in red oak Varies in color from light tan or pale yellow brown to pale or dark brown. Sapwood Color White Brown Red Width varies Whitish to light brown Grain Even Figure Open Rays are longer than red oak. Quartered veneer are flake figured while the very popular straight-line figure is prominent in rift-cut veneer Texture Medium Coarse Medium to coarse Natural Durability Very durable Heartwood highly resistant to decay Logs are susceptible to severe attack by ambrosia beetles, and standing trees and logs are also readily attacked by forest longhorn or Butrespid beetles Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules US=Upland T4-C2/T3-C1 US=Lowland T2-C1 UK=C Drying Defects Checking Internal Honeycombing Possible Collapse Ring Shakes Discoloration Surface checks Ring failure Honeycombing possible Gray sapwood stain End checks Defects include:uneven moisture, chemical stains, iron stains, and are attributable to wetwood (usually in old growth) Collapse Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Dries slowly Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Sometimes larger than 120 cm in diameter.The tree is large and handsome, with a stout, short bole and large, widely spreading branches that droop at the ends. This shade tree is the largest of the western deciduous oaks Product Sources Various species in the white oak group are mixed and marketed together. Supplies are abundant, especially in the form of veneers, at moderate prices. Comments White oaks are moderate in bending and crushing strengths, with low stiffness. Their working properties are dictated by the rate of growth of the trees: trees that grow slowly tend to be relatively easier to work with hand and machine tools. Faster grown southern trees are reported to produce wood that is harder than wood from slower growing Appalachian trees. White oak is widely used for vats and casks for holding liquids such as wine and spirits because it is highly impermeable to liquids Blunting Effect Moderate Moderate dulling effect on cutting edges Boring Very good to excellent results Fairly easy to very easy Very good results Bored surfaces usually clean Bored surfaces are smooth Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting resistance is generally medium but is variable. Cross-cutting and narrow-bandsawing are satisfactory Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sometimes difficult Satisfactory gluing properties Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very good mortising qualities Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Moderate dimensional stability after seasoning Medium Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Wood is hard Pre-boring recommended Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good planing properties A cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended Machining characteristics of white oak timbers are reported to vary with species and rate of growth. Softer timber from slow-growth trees are generally easier to work Resistance to Abrasion High Highly resistant to wear Good for flooring Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood responds poorly to preservative treatment High natural resistance to decay allows the heartwood to be used outdoors without chemical protection. Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Timber from slow-growth white oak trees are softer and are easier to work with hand tools Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Responds well Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Yields clean surfaces Responds very well to preservative treatment Steam Bending Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Exceptional resistance to harmful effects of weather Defect free material bends to very small radius of curvature Proper precautions should be taken to prevent chemical staining of steamed wood in contact with iron or steel Staining Fair to Good Results Reaction between tannins and liquid from some products, especially those with high water content such as bleach and water-based finishes, may turn the wood green or brown. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English References HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Kaiser, J. 1994. Wood of the Month: Oaks Loom in Designs, Folklore and Symbolisms. Wood and Wood Products, November, 1994. Page 52. Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Rendle, B.J. Editor. 1969. World Timbers, Volume Two - North & South America (Including Central America and the West Indies). Published by Ernest Benn Limited, Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London.