Red Oak - is it any good for use externally (seems to good to cut up for firewood)

[PC Treescapes]

Hi all, taking down a large red oak tomorrow with a clean straight stem to around 20 foot, about 3 foot diameter. Is the timber as good outside as English oak, as whole tree is being cut up for firewood for customer. Wondering about milling main stem as an option with my alaskan for a project at the yard. Cheers

[se7enthdevil]

the red oak group are not durable hence why all durable oaks are in the white side of the genus. you can see the two groups here. The Wood Database

 

if it's a good stem then i think it should be put to use but just not outside. it can be used for furniture, floorboards, interior doors, kitchens, skirting, architrave, shelving and anything else you can think of that won't expose it to the elements.

[CCOS]

I treat and use red oak as beech, great wood for furniture and anything indoor but no good for long lasting outdoor use.

It's a really beautiful wood and indeed would be a shame to make it into firewood.

[PC Treescapes]

Thanks guys for the replies, good info, will see what the customer says today.

[Big J]

Lovely timber, just not outside. Well worth milling.