Red Oak
Quercus rubra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1220 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Moderately durable, with moderate resistance to decay and insects, though susceptible to moisture damage and staining as seen on the surface.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a pronounced coarse texture and distinct growth rings typical of ring-porous hardwoods, mostly flat-sawn and quarter-sawn boards.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a pinkish to reddish brown with lighter sapwood, showing significant dark staining, wear patterns, and an aged amber patina under a degraded finish.
Hardness (Janka)
1220 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately durable, with moderate resistance to decay and insects, though susceptible to moisture damage and staining as seen on the surface.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.50 to 6.00 USD per board foot for standard flooring lumber
- Wood Age Estimate
- Mid-20th century (approximately 50 to 80 years old based on wear patterns, strip flooring dimensions, and finish breakdown)
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN Red List; widely abundant and sustainably harvested with FSC certification readily available.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, interior trim, cabinetry, and general construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools, though the coarse grain can cause tear-out on planer blades if not fed properly. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or traditional oil-based finishes after thorough sanding, bleaching or oxalic acid treatment to remove the dark water and chemical stains visible on the surface.
Notable Features
Open, porous grain structure which readily absorbs stains and finishes; high tannin content making it reactive to iron and moisture.
