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Black Oak

Quercus velutina

Also known as: Eastern Black Oak, Yellow-bark Oak, Quercitron Oak

Technical Spec Sheet

2026-07-14

Black Oak wood grain

Reference grain swatch

Janka Hardness
1,210 lbf (5,382 N)
Avg. Dried Weight
670 kg/m³ (42 lb/ft³)
Specific Gravity
0.61
Type
Hardwood
Grain
Straight to slightly irregular; pronounced ray pattern visible on quartersawn faces
Texture
Medium to coarse, ring-porous
Durability
Low to moderate durability; less rot-resistant than White Oak due to absence of tyloses
Region
North America
Sustainability
Sustainable — Common throughout eastern North America; not commercially restricted

Overview

Black Oak is a common eastern North American hardwood closely related to Red Oak, sharing similar working properties, strength, and appearance. Distinguished by its characteristically yellow-orange inner bark — historically harvested for quercitron dye — it is widely used for flooring, furniture, and interior millwork as a commercially interchangeable substitute for Red Oak.

Ring-porous hardwood with medium to coarse texture and air-dried density of approximately 670 kg/m³. Janka hardness of 1,210 lbf — slightly softer than Red Oak. Like all red-group oaks, it lacks tyloses in the vessels, making it less water-resistant than White Oak. Tangential shrinkage 8.6%, radial 4.4%.

Workshop Notes

Blunting Effect

Moderate — similar to Red Oak

Gluing

Good with standard woodworking adhesives

Finishing

Open grain responds well to pore fillers before applying film finishes; stains evenly

Steam Bending

Good steam bending characteristics

Scent

Mild, characteristic oak scent when worked

Assessment

Strengths

  • Good strength and hardness
  • Similar availability to Red Oak
  • Prominent ray figure when quartersawn
  • Good steam bending

Weaknesses

  • Less decay-resistant than White Oak
  • Open pores require filler for smooth finishes
  • Variable colour can be inconsistent

Common Uses

Flooring · Furniture · Cabinetry · Interior millwork · Firewood · Historically for tannin extraction