Grows In: North America
Hardness: 1290

DESCRIPTION
More than 200 subspecies in North America; a great variation in colour and grain depending on the origin of the wood and differences in growing seasons. Northern, Southern and Appalachian red oak all can be divided into upland and lowland species. Because they can grow more slowly, upland species have a more uniform grain pattern than the lowland species, with more growth rings per inch.

COLOUR RANGE AND GRAIN
Heartwood and sapwood are similar, with the sapwood lighter in colour; most pieces have a reddish tone. Slightly redder than white oak. Red Oak has an open, slightly coarser (more porous) than white oak. Plainsawn boards have a plumed or flared grain appearance; riftsawn has tighter grain pattern,low figuring; quarter-sawn has a flake pattern, sometimes called the tiger rays or butterflies.

COLOUR CHANGE
Red Oak has a medium range of color variability from lighter tan tones with pinkish highlights to darker browns. Red Oak undergoes a medium degree of color change over time with a slight ambering of the pinkish tan brown color you get when freshly milled.

IDEAL USE
Red Oak is widely used for wood flooring in North America where it is revered for its warm, pink hues and versatility.