Wood inspector

Family: Fagaceae

Common names: Arkansas oak, Arkansas water oak, Water oak

Distributed in: United States (North America)

Distribution overview: Arkansas oakoccurs in a scattered fashion among other oaks within localized areas of 5 south eastern states in the United States. The natural growth range extends from southwest Georgia and northwest Florida west to Louisiana, with the largest concentration in southwest Arkansas. It prefers well-drained sandy soils and is usually found growing with other hardwoods at elevations of up to 400 feet (107 m). It is believed to be an ancient species which had a wider distribution in the Coastal Plains. The name is derived from the state where it was first discovered in 1911.

Common uses: Caskets, Crossties, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Mine timbers, Posts

Product sources: Although the primary sources of commercial American red oak are northern red oak (Q. rubra) and southern red oak (Q. falcata), various species in the red oak class are mixed and marketed together without distinction. Supplies of red oak are plentiful, and the species is one of the most commonly available domestic hardwoods. Oak in general, and particularly red oak, dominates as the most popular timber for furniture, followed by cherry, pine, mahogany, ash, pecan, hard maple, and walnut.Red oak is also a popular export to other countries, and is one of the most popular American oaks used in Europe.

Environment profile: Rather secure, with little or no threat to its population within its natural growth range

Tree size: Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm

Colors: the heart isWhite, Yellowand the sapwoodWhite, Whitish.The grain isStraight, the textureMedium and the luster Arkansas oak has the same or very similar characteristics as all the other American red oaks

Natural durability: Perishable, Very durable

Odor: Has an odor

Drying Defects: Internal Honeycombing Possible, Ring Shakes

Ease of Drying: Moderately Difficult to Difficult

Blunting Effect: Moderate

Boring: Fairly easy to very easy

Cutting Resistance: Easy to saw

Gluing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Mortising: Very Good to Excellent

Nailing: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult, Pre-Boring Recommended

Planing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Resistance to Abrasion: High

Resistance to Impregnation: Resistant sapwood

Response to hand tools: Responds Readily

Sanding: Fairly Easy to Very Easy

Veneering qualities: Veneers easily

Steam bending: Very Good to Excellent Results

Screwing: Fair to Good Results, Fairly Easy to Very Easy; Turning: Very Good to Excellent Results

Staining: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult;