Oak
On the valley floor in our area Oak Trees grow like grass. Mixed throughout the landscape with Manzanita they together make up the bulk of the trees and bushes until the higher elevations. At the higher elevations the Oaks become tall and slender reaching for the sky in competition with large timber for the precious sunlight.
Oak has long been revered and even somewhat legendary for its amazing strength, and hardness. The history of the mighty Oak goes as far back as words themselves, Oak Wood has served to repel attacks from soldiers at the gate to canon balls against the hull of a old sailing ship. Oak is an ideal choice for many projects from cabinet making, sculpture, to boat building.
Oak is not limited to trees but also comes in several bushes as well as a matter of fact Oak has some 400 subspecies. One of everyones favorites would be the Posion Oak Bushe that usually leaves the visitor with a lasting reminder. Oak can be found in perenial and annual varieties growing all over the world.
Oak wood is usually light in color with a porous grain. If you cross cut a very thin slice a skeleton of tubes emerges. It is really difficult to imagine this porosity in something so heavy and strong.
The varieties in our area are:
- Black Oak
- Valley Oak
- Live Oak
- White Oak
- Red Oak
Hard links for this hard wood: