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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. Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Luster Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Sapwood Color Scientific Name Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Scientific Name Quercus virginiana Trade Name Live oak Family Name Fagaceae Common Names Cucharillo, Encino, Encino negro, Live oak, Mamecillo, Oak, Roble, Roble amarillo, Roble colorado, Roble encino, Roblecito, White oak Regions of Distribution North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] United States Common Uses Shipbuilding Environmental Profile Rank of relative endangerment based on number of occurences globally. May be rare in some parts of its range, especially at the periphery Demonstrably widespread, abundant, and secure globally Data source is Nature Conservancy Distribution Overview Black oak occurs in Ontario in Canada. In the United States, its range includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The tree prefers dry upland sandy and rocky ridges and slopes, as well as clay hillsides. It is sometimes found in pure stands and grows from sea level to elevations of up to 5000 feet (1524 m). Heartwood Color Dull brown to gray brown Sapwood Color Whitish to grayish brown Grain Figure Irregular Irregular Slab sawn material is reported to yield an interesting grain pattern Texture Fine Coarse Small, non-continuous checks are reported to occur often Luster Medium Natural Durability Durable Perishable Non-durable Live oak has high natural resistance against decay, especially in marine applications. Odor No specific smell or taste Ease of Drying Rapidly Green material should be protected from rapid drying. End grain should be coated and the material should be properly stickered during seasoning Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Size Tree height is 0-10 m Live oak has derived its name from its evergreen foliage. The tree is medium-sized, with a short, broad and buttressed trunk and broad branches that are often covered with Spanish-moss. The tree is a popular shade tree in Southeastern United States where it matures into very large sizes Product Sources Live oak has little commercial value, but small quantities are available in areas where the species grows. The tree has been one of the primary sources of timber for shipbuilding, and the first publicly owned timber lands in the US were purchased in 1799 to protect the trees for that purpose. Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Planing Live oak is extremely difficult to work in all machining operations Resistance to Impregnation Resistant Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = low Crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Response to machining operations is generally dependent on the growth rate of the trees: fast grown southern trees are reported to produce harder material which is generally easier to work than wood from slow grown Appalachian trees. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 9800 18032 psi Crushing Strength 1999 2783 psi Density 62 lbs/ft3 Impact Strength 43 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4366 8722 psi Shearing Strength 2607 psi Stiffness 1308 1940 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 12 19 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.68 0.84 Weight 72 60 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 14 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 689 1267 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 140 195 kg/cm2 Density 993 kg/m3 Impact Strength 109 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 306 613 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 183 kg/cm2 Stiffness 91 136 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.84 1.33 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.68 0.84 Weight 1153 961 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Madison, Wisconsin. Flynn Jr., J.H. 1993. Quercus virginiana - Live oak. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 311-312. Kaiser, J. 1994. Wood of the Month: Oaks Loom in Design, Folklore and Symbolism. Wood and Wood Products, November, 1994. Page 52. Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. 1980. Textbook of Wood Technology, 4th Edition. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 72, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.