White Oak Tree vs. Red Oak Tree: What are The Differences?
Over 450 species of oak trees grow worldwide and dozens of red and oak tree varieties grow in North America. Red and white oak trees are renowned for their magnificence in your landscape, and both are grown for lumber.
White oak and red oak trees grow naturally in many locations, and property owners plant these two varieties of trees in their landscapes. Red and white oak trees can be used in the landscaping of commercial properties and can provide shade for buildings and parking areas.
Oak trees provide an abundance of eye appeal and shade in your yard. However, if you know both the White Oak and the Red Oak, you can identify one type of tree over the other in your yard.
There are considerations when planting a white or red oak tree in your yard.
Oak Trees and Landscaping
When planting a tree on your property or thinning young trees, you need to know how big it grows, so they have room to expand. Otherwise, you may have more shade than you need ten years from now or limbs hanging on your roof.
Roots from trees can also interfere with sewer pipes, septic systems, and other underground utilities that may cross your yard. In addition, the white and red oak is not the same size in diameter or height once fully grown.
White Oak trees – What are their characteristics?
From their root systems to their highest branch, oak trees have many similarities from one variety to the next. Take the white oak, for example. It is a large, deciduous hardwood tree used for shade and lumber, and so is the red oak.
One would think that white oak lumber is bright white, but that’s not necessarily so. White oak lumber can have tones of tan and dark and light brown notes.
If white oak isn’t white, is red oak red? Of course, it can be; however, it can also have pink hues and makes beautiful furniture and flooring, but so does white oak.
White Oaks are big trees
The leaf of a white oak tree has seven to eleven lobes with rounded tips that are longer than wide. They are light green and are not as shiny as the leaves of some trees.
Like other oak trees, the fruit of the white oak is acorns, which you can eat when properly prepared. The appearance of the acorns is another way to identify a white from red oak.
If you can eat roasted acorns, the local population of squirrels, rabbits, and other herbivores in the vicinity will too.
The bark of the white oak is grey, solid, and has a vertical pattern on the trunk. It is hard and relatively thick for tree bark. This distinguishing feature is another way to identify a white oak tree from the red oak and other oak tree varieties.
At maturity, white oak can reach 60 to 100 feet and live for over 100 years if undisturbed. The white oak likes full to partial sun, and the soil drains well; they will thrive in this environment.
The white oak will get not only tall but also wide as it grows to maturity and can span an area of 50 to 80 feet in diameter. So here again, if planning a tree of any variety, be sure you give it room to grow so that it doesn’t interfere with your home or current landscaping.
Oak trees grow slowly. So, if you are planting a sapling, you may not be around long enough to see it grow to full maturity because that may take over 50 years.
However, if you get a young tree with a few years of growth, it will grow to its full height more quickly.
Red Oak trees – What are their characteristics?
Although the leaf of the red oak tree is shaped similarly to that of the white oak, its leaves have very sharply pointed ends on the leaf’s lobes. Red oak leaves are a darker, glossier green than white oak trees.
The bark of the red and white oak is more challenging to distinguish from each other than inspecting the tree’s leaves. However, red oak bark is gray, too, and has deep vertical striations.
Although it is deeply ridged, the bark of red oak has a smoother, worn appearance. While the bark of the white oak also has deep ridges, it also can have an appearance of peeling layers along the edge of the bark.
The color of the wood, when it is freshly cut, is not a dead giveaway to its identity either. When wood is freshly cut, it is still full of moisture, and its beauty won’t reveal itself until the lumber has been dried, sawn, and turned into furniture or flooring.
How high will a Red Oak grow?
Although red oak trees are giant once they reach maturity, they are shorter and not quite as big as white oak. Standing between 60 and 80 feet when fully grown, their average diameter is about 45 feet.
The red oak grows faster than the white oak, which is another consideration because it will fill the space chosen more quickly. But, of course, quickly still means years, but it doesn’t mean that you will need to wait decades to see your tree grow to its full height.
The more diminutive stature of the red oak also means you can plant it in tighter spots than a white oak tree due to its more compact size.
White Oak vs. Red Oak – fall coloring
Of the two, the red oak has the most brilliant display of fall colors. Although white oaks show red, orange, russet, yellow, and brown, white oaks can lose their color quickly if the weather is too dry, cold, or wet or if the moon is wrong.
On the other hand, the red oak tree is a hardier variety of oak and offers the most attractive display that lasts longer. However, both types will lay down a carpet of colors across your yard, harkening to the colder winter days.
White Oak vs. Red Oak Trees in your landscape
Before choosing a variety, you must determine the location you want the trees in. Trees can be used as windbreaks, property divides, and as lumber. They are versatile and eco-friendly, and you will enjoy either variety for years.
As mentioned above, the variety of trees you plant in your yard must fit the space. But, of course, that applies to any plants you wish to add around your home, especially trees.
Small to medium-sized plants, shrubs, and trees can be transplanted from one location to another. So can a young red or white oak tree.
Once your tree reaches a specific size, all bets are off that someone will tackle moving a 50-foot oak tree from here to there. Not without some serious money changing hands.
White Oak vs. Red Oak lumber
Both white and red oak is used to make furniture. Although both are oak, the grain and color of lumber made from these trees are slightly different. And that goes for all varieties of oak. Each type will have slight differences.
These differences include the boards’ color, grain, density, and porosity.
White oak lumber
White oak has a tighter grain and longer rays than red oak, which gives it a cleaner appearance.
Red oak lumber
The rays of red oak are busy, and the reds and pinks will not match every décor where white oak will.
White Oak vs. Red Oak for flooring
Red oak is more porous than white oak, which means it will not stand up to water, as well as the denser wood of white oak. Red oak that gets wet can develop black patches, so it is best not to use it in damp areas outside your home.
White oak isn’t as prevalent as red oak in the wild and is sought after by crafters for many uses, including furniture and flooring. However, due to its limited availability, white oak flooring is slightly more costly than redwood flooring.
White Oak Tree vs. Red Oak Tree – inside and outside the home
Whether for shade, privacy, a new floor, or credenza, white oak and red oak have qualities suitable for any of the above. The question is, what look do you want in your yard and your home? Then, consider your options.
Photo via Housegrail
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