Author Topic: Chestnut oak (Read 1248 times)

Patrick NC · « **on:** March 03, 2020, 08:15:45 PM »

I finally got my mill to cut fairly straight in oak. Not perfect, but its much better than the first oak log I tried to mill. I got some pretty nice 5/4 x 6 inch boards for my step daughter's deck.

GullyBog · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2020, 08:26:17 PM »

Nice! 1x6 is such a useful dimension for oak. I'm sure it will look good and last a while.

WV Sawmiller · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2020, 08:45:48 PM »

And it finishes well. These benches are chestnut oak with a tung oil finish.

scsmith42 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2020, 04:23:42 PM »

Chestnut white oak is open pored, so it's not the best white oak option for exterior projects. You're going to want to finish it well with a good stain or other type of preservative if it's exposed to the weather.

Patrick NC · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2020, 06:03:13 PM »

Thanks for the heade up about chestnut oak not being great for exterior construction. I'll be sure to use stain and probably a sealer too.

CCCLLC · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2020, 06:13:56 PM »

That is looking good. Looks like great progress in the learning curve of milling. Good job!

Patrick NC · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2020, 06:35:35 PM »

Quote from: CCCLLC on March 04, 2020, 06:13:56 PM

That is looking good. Looks like great progress in the learning curve of milling. Good job!

Thanks. It's a lot more fun when they actually look like boards instead of wooden snakes!😁

Nebraska · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2020, 10:36:19 PM »

Wooden snakes, never.... those are rustic milled boards

CCCLLC · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2020, 02:52:30 PM »

I see the price going up when you mentioned rustic. Good job.

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2020, 09:38:10 AM »

In my area, chestnut oak seems to be prone to shake. Sometimes it doesn't come up until it starts to dry. Those dark mineral streaks are areas most likely for it to form. Things are different from region to region within the same species. So, your experience may be different.

Patrick NC · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2020, 02:45:36 PM »

Quote from: Ron Wenrich on March 07, 2020, 09:38:10 AM

In my area, chestnut oak seems to be prone to shake. Sometimes it doesn't come up until it starts to dry. Those dark mineral streaks are areas most likely for it to form. Things are different from region to region within the same species. So, your experience may be different.

Thanks for the info. I've not heard of that being a problem around here, but then again I'm pretty new to milling. I hope that's not the case around here as I have about 11 acres of chestnut oak. I'd hate to have 11 acres of firewood.

Patrick NC · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2020, 01:28:18 PM »

Quote from: Ron Wenrich on March 07, 2020, 09:38:10 AM

In my area, chestnut oak seems to be prone to shake. Sometimes it doesn't come up until it starts to dry. Those dark mineral streaks are areas most likely for it to form. Things are different from region to region within the same species. So, your experience may be different.

Looks like you were right. A lot of the boards I cut are starting to show ring shake( I think. When I googled it that's what it looked like.) I wonder what the percentage of trees will have that?

Ron Wenrich · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2020, 08:44:19 PM »

I think its caused by a bacteria. Pin oak gets it, and it stinks when you cut it. It has those dark streaks and they also are prone to ring shake. Black oak gets what we call mineral streaks. Its usually a black streak. I had a lumber grader tell me that often turns to shake when it dries. It isn't mineral, its bacteria.

I've cut some really nice chestnut oak. It usually grows on the lower sides of the mountains on fairly decent soil. Chestnut oak is also called rock oak, because it will grow in rocky areas. Those trees are slow growing, and the quality isn't very good.

Forestry Forum
Sponsored by: