Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually interlocked or irregular with a coarse texture; features very large, prominent medullary rays characteristic of Quercus species.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a light to medium reddish-brown. Sapwood is slightly lighter but not always clearly demarcated; often darkens significantly to a deeper tan with age and oxidation.
Hardness Rating
2,410 lbf (Extremely Hard)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; high density provides some resistance to rot, though it is prone to insect attack if not seasoned correctly.
Common Uses
Firewood (highly prized), tool handles, heavy construction, flooring, and charcoal production.
Geographic Origin
Coastal regions of California and Baja California.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $8.00 per board foot as lumber; $300 - $600 per cord as firewood.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut (green) logs; no significant oxidation or silvering of the bark exists, likely cut within the last 1-3 months.
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed or on the IUCN Red List; however, protected by various California local ordinances and vulnerable to Sudden Oak Death (Phytophthora ramorum).
Workability
Difficult to work due to extreme hardness/density and interlocked grain which causes frequent tearout; high shrinkage during drying makes it prone to warping and checking.
Notable Features
Distinctive thin 'sandpaper' bark, extremely high BTU value for fuel, and iconic broad medullary rays on the end grain.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or film finishes like polyurethane; requires slow drying/seasoning before finishing to prevent cracking.
Identification Confidence
High; identification based on the specific smooth-yet-fissured grey bark, the light-colored end grain with visible growth rings and large rays, and the typical 'live oak' branch structure seen in the pile.