Willow Oak

[cspears188]

New to the world of saw milling. I know the willow oak is in the red oak family and is a fast growing tree. Is it good for anything other then fire wood? Is it worth sawing into lumber for anything?

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

Willow oak's growing characteristics include lots of branches, so, with the abundance of other red oaks that are clearer, willow oak is seldom used for lumber.  If you saw a log that produces No.2 Common or lower grade mainly, it is likely that it will be unprofitable.  We need upper grade to make a profit.

[Kcwoodbutcher]

Just dropped one today. The top will go for firewood and the trunk will be use to repair stalls in the barn. It is hard to find a clear board but it is a good utility lumber. I don't know what's happening but I've lost over a dozen in the last few years.

[WDH]

The large-river-bottomland-willow oaks can be tall and clear boled up to 50' up the stem.  While not common, these large diameter willow oaks can make nice lumber for sure.  However, the average-run-of-the-mill willow oak, not so good.  Lots of low grade, like the Doc said.  It depends on the log.

[tmbrcruiser]

I live on the Delmarva Peninsula and willow oak can at times be large clean logs. We cut them into mat timbers and sort the grade from the green chain. In this area I would rate red oak in this order 1. Northern 2. Black 3. Southern 4. Willow 5. Scarlet 6. Pin 7. Water, so thinking in these terms willow isn't so bad.

[fishfighter]

I had sawed them. All oaks in my area grow real tall were the first branches start at around 30'+ up with trees that have a base at the trunk around 24". I never tried to quarter sawed them yet. Been using them as framing lumber. Very heavy when wet.

[WDH]

ff,

Water oak, willow oak, and laurel oak are very common in your area.  People there call them pin oaks, but that is a misnomer.  Pin oak, Quercus palustris, is a very different red oak not found in LA. 

[fishfighter]

Yep, we always called water oaks , pin oak. ;D

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Yep, we always called water oaks , pin oak. ;D

I did to until I got it wrong on a test.

[Kbeitz]

Isnt a Pin oaK a scrubby little bumpy tree?

[Magicman]

Yep, we always called water oaks , pin oak. ;D

Same here.  Confusing at best, and I still do not have that category of Red Oaks sorted out.  We have some in my area that I have no idea what they are.  I am comfortable not knowing everything.   ;D

[Kbeitz]

Yep, we always called water oaks , pin oak. ;D

Same here.  Confusing at best, and I still do not have that category of Red Oaks sorted out.  We have some in my area that I have no idea what they are.  I am comfortable not knowing everything.   ;D

Wow.... This gotta be a first. I know something about a tree the Magicman does not know.
Red oak is something we hace plenty of them in this area. But I have not cut one yet.
Kinda pinkesh inside,

[gspren]

   Isn't Pin Oak the wood that Pinocchio was carved out of? ;D

[Magicman]

I am comfortable not knowing everything.

I know something about a tree the Magicman does not know.

If you know it all, then good for you.  There are 35 different Oak species listed in Mississippi.

[Kbeitz]

I am comfortable not knowing everything.

I know something about a tree the Magicman does not know.

If you know it all, then good for you.  There are 35 different Oak species listed in Mississippi.

Sure dont know it all.... Never will.
But I've learned plenty reading your post.

[Magicman]

 :D  Yup, I had to get my "tree book" out and count because I did not remember the exact number.  There are several species, actually subspecies I guess, that we have here that are not found on my tree farm which is 45 miles away.

[kelLOGg]

I live on the Delmarva Peninsula and willow oak can at times be large clean logs. We cut them into mat timbers and sort the grade from the green chain. In this area I would rate red oak in this order 1. Northern 2. Black 3. Southern 4. Willow 5. Scarlet 6. Pin 7. Water, so thinking in these terms willow isn't so bad.

From a woodworking point of view, I have never met an oak I didn't like (yet). Even #7 on the list has turned out well for me.
Bob

[beenthere]

Isnt a Pin oaK a scrubby little bumpy tree?

No, that def'n could fit any number of species.

[Magicman]

Such as the "Oak Brush" in Colorado, Wyoming, et al.

[fishfighter]

yep, some many different oaks in my parts too.

Was in the woods a couple days ago and I think I found a few cherry trees. Going to have to take a couple picture of the trunks to see if any of you can tell me different. They have a very very course bark and what I can see of leaves, the are oval shape, about 2 1/2"  long. Really don't know what they are, but sure know they are NOT oak. :D

[WDH]

You would like the @DanG method of tree ID.  It is either sweetgum or not sweetgum  :D. 

[fishfighter]

It's not gum for sure. Know them. ;D The bark is black. After googling a cherry tree, it sure is not that. I will try to get a picture of it tomorrow. Rain in the hood now.

[chickenchaser]

FF,

I have fun with these links. I copied them from a two year old post so I hope they still be workin'.

http://www.forestry.state.al.us/TreeIDIndex.aspx?bv=5&s=1

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.htm

http://www.southeasternflora.com/common_list.asp


CC

[fishfighter]

Thanks. Book mark the links.

Think I found out what it is. A Blackjack oak. Never saw them on my place before. The ones I am seeing are young trees, maybe 15 years old. The bark looks like this, but a little darker.



 

[WDH]

That is what I would say from the bark.  The leaf is spatulate and distinctive.  Wood is low grade with many small knots.