The red oak leaf is on the left and has jagged edges. Oaks (which are in the Beech family- Fagaceae) are divided into two groups, the red and the white oaks. Other white oak family members include the bur oak, chestnut oak, and Oregon white oak. Some trees have a … The coloring in white oak is varied. As you can expect, red oak has a darker, reddish-brown tint to it that’s not found in white oak. Can you determine whether the wood is red oak vs white oak? This may explain why white oak is less likely to shrink than red oak. Summary of White Oak vs Red Oak. Some notable oaks in this group include willow oak, pin oak, southern red oak, northern red oak, and scarlet oak. As shown in the table below, within each group are several different species. Neither red or white oak acorns contain much protein, but red oak acorns contain high amounts of fat and tannin, making them bitter and slower to be eaten by deer compared to white oaks. The color and texture of the bark on oak trees can help you to discern the red oaks from the white oaks. On the other hand, white oak bark … When examined closer, the pores of red oak and white oak are very different. Heres a snapshot of just some common oak species, and a little information about how to identify them. Don't miss out! Red oak trees generally have lobed leaves with pointed tips and tiny bristles at the lobed tips. When looking at the bark, red oak is typically smoother. The bark does not have deep furrows and tall ridges. The decisions are entirely dependent on the user’s preferences. The terms “Red Oak” and “White Oak” refer to general groups of trees. Most oaks fall into one of two main categories: white oak and red oak. Assuming you have just come across a tree or a pile of wood. An oak is the state tree of Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland and New Jersey. He is a published author in Quality Whitetails, Purdue University Extension, and is currently a graduate student at the Mississippi State University Deer Lab where he studies interactions between deer, oaks, and other hardwood trees. Your email address will not be published. Both the white and red oaks are great options for flooring and interior needs. I have many of both of these trees on my land, but never found the differences so clearly illustrated till now. After 10 to 12 years, the tree will stand only 10 to 15 feet tall (3-5 m.), but it will eventually reach a height of 50 to 100 feet (15-30 m.). White oak trees generally have lobed leaves that have a rounded tips and don’t have bristles. Another good way to differentiate white from red oaks is the shape of the leaf lobes. The usual purposes for red oak are often quite different than those for white oak. Also, there are usually more wavy rays running through red oak, while white oak tends to have straight rays running through it. While the characteristics vary from one species to the next, red oak has jagged leaves with sharp angles. However, the leaves on white oaks often simply change to a dull brown when fall comes around. Separate boards of white oak lumber may be dark brown, light brown, or brown with yellow tones. Bark Identification of Red Oak vs White Oak. Patterns, Monograms, Stencils, & DIY Projects. This oak makes for a beautiful tree in the landscape but is a slow-growing tree when compared to red oak and will become huge on maturity. Their acorns take two years to mature and they have a very bitter, unpalatable taste. On the other hand, the red oak leaf has a variety of leaf characteristics. Red oak leaves usually come to a point at the end of each lobe, while the lobes of white oak leaves are rounded. Stain and wood sealer tend to beautifully enhance the appearance of white oak. If there are no leaves around, don't despair. If the tree still has leaves, then this makes identification much easier. Hey, thanks. Red Oak. The fruits are high in carbohydrates and develop on branches in one growing season before falling, meaning that the flowers produced one spring will produce nuts that same fall. White Oak vs Red Oak: Comparison Table . Oaks (which are in the Beech family-Fagaceae) are divided into two groups, the red and the white oaks. Your email address will not be published. Red Oak Second only to White Oak in value, Red Oak trees are often considered as a replacement wood when White Oak wood is not available, particularly for large dimensional lumber. White oak acorns take one year to reach maturity, while red oak acorns take two years. Regards, Barry Brumfield, I learned some 50 years ago the way to always remember the difference in identification by the leaves is that white oak have the rounded end on the tip of the leaves such as the white settlers bullets for hunting, whereas the red oak have the pointed leaf endings as in the arrows used for hunting of the Native Americans. How to tell the Difference Between Red Oak vs White Oak. Rather flatter veins running down the tree – which have a hint of red in them. White Oak Tree (Q. alba) – Not to be confused with the group of oaks called white oaks, the white oak tree grows very slowly. On the other hand, white oak bark has deep furrows and ridges that are triangular in cross-section. These groups each contain many different species that each have unique characteristics, while keeping some broad similarities with other species in their respective groups. The group includes trees such as the iconic white oak, swamp chestnut oak, post oak, and overcup oak. I will always know the difference in identification. The bark does not have deep furrows and tall ridges. The red oaks have a much darker bark, with some so dark that they may even look almost black. Red oak only spreads to 75 feet. People tend to use the terms white and red oaks as reference between two species, but this is actually not true (note that white oak is the species Quercus alba, and there is also a white oak group to which Quercus alba belongs). I hope that this brief overview of the red oak and white oak groups has familiarize you with some of the terminology on these valuable wildlife trees. Moriah is a co-founder of Hunt The Land and a graduate of the NC State University Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology program. The nuts of white oaks vary in size and shape but are consumed more readily by deer and other critters because they contain less tannins than their counterparts, the red oaks. Red oak leaves usually come to a point at the end of each lobe, while the lobes of white oak leaves tend to be rounded. The lobes of the leaf are well defined with sharp angles. White oak has a wider spread, up to 100 feet wide. The red oaks bark will normally have deep furrows running through it, with ridges crisscrossing the trunk. Red oak is an open-grained wood with very large pores. Red Oaks and White Oaks: What’s The Difference? When looking at the bark, red oak is typically smoother. Often other types of oak are substituted for Red oak as well, although their wood is not always of as high a quality. In comparison, the white oak leaf is on the right and has the rounded edges. Under ideal conditions, both oaks can reach 100 feet tall. (Above) The bark of white oaks is light colored and often “shaggy” or peeling off the trunk. 4 Essential Herbicides for Any Habitat Manager, #114 – How To Build A Custom Ghillie Suit With John Zimmerman, #113 – How To Quarter And Pack Deer Out Of The Field, #112 – Answering Questions: Food Plots, Woods TP, Fighting The Chafe, And Our Archaic Hunting Methods. People tend to use the terms white and red oaks as reference between two species, but this is actually not true (note that white oak is the species Quercus alba, and there is also a white oak group to which Quercus alb a belongs). You can also tell the difference between a red oak and a white oak by looking at its bark. Above ) the bark of white oak, and scarlet oak even look almost black rays., providing a valuable food source for smaller species like wood ducks one. Pin oak, and Projects running through red oak examined closer, the oak! Bitter, unpalatable taste strategy and makes you a more well-rounded habitat.... 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