Oak (quercus sp.)

Oak (quercus sp.)

There are over 500 recognised varieties of the Oak (Quercus) family of trees. The most widely known and traded are probably:-

• American White Oak – quercus alba
• Burr Oak – quercus macrocarpa
• English & European Oak – quercus robur
• American Red Oak – quercus rubra

Other lesser known varieties include:-

• Portuguese Oak – quercus faginea
• Oregon Oak – quercus garryana
• Mongolian Oak – quercus mongolica
• Chestnut Oak – quercus montana
• Italian Oak – quercus frainetto
• Caucasian Oak – quercus macranthera
• Pyrenian Oak – quercus pyrenaica
• Turkey Oak – quercus cerris
• Brown Oak – quercus semecarpifolia
• Georgia Oak – quercus Georgiana
• Japanese Evergreen Oak – quercus acuta

And so the list goes on.

Oak has traditionally and widely been regarded as the King of temperate hardwood species due, not only to it’s substantial shade offering canopy of this magnificent tree but also to the natural beauty of it’s timber; it’s strength, durability, and wear characteristics. Oak is a classic and timeless species that has been used for centuries in joinery, boat building, fencing, furniture. With it’s high tannin content, Oak will corrode steel nails and screws, so the use of stainless steel or brass fixings is advised.