QSWO lumber, what kind of tree?

[tperson]

Here’s the skinny, I need an education in trees/lumber. I bought some white oak off Facebook and the guy turned out to be super-local (like, 8 miles local) AND he has a sawmill and a kiln. Seems to be more of a hobby sawyer with a ‘behind the house’ setup, but the lumber I bought seems to be nice. Anyway, he said he’s getting logs from his family land and will take orders for lumber with about a 90-day turnaround, so I asked about a 75bft QSWO order and he said sure. He asked me if I considered burr oak, white oak…and I replied with a blank look. Is burr oak (quercus marcrocarpa) the variety that’s typically sawn for lumber, or is it just one of the members of the white oak family? The interweb produced the picture below to add to my confusion. Any input would be appreciated…this guy is 60 miles closer and is about 2/3 the price of the other guy.

[wtnhighlander]

Based on one rule of thumb I read, oaks with pointy leaves have characteristics of 'red' oak, and those with rounded leaves have characteristics of 'white' oak.

In any case, for that price and convenience, I wouldn't turn any of it away.

[Mark J]

Red oak is very porous and for that reason a lot of folks prefer using white oak.  As to what variety of white has what properties, I'd look for discussions at Hobbit House or the Wood Data Base.

[fcschoenthal]

I say that if it looks good and costs less, use it. As long as you're not mixing it with a different "white oak", nobody will know the difference.

[Von]

Ask him if he has samples? My experience is that non-experts (myself included) can use the common names innocently differently or confuse woods, so trying to assess wood based on just a name isn't reliable.

[Tom King]

In this country, all Oaks are either a Red Oak or a White Oak.  That doesn't mean they are White Oak and Red Oak.  There are over a hundred varieties. Burr Oak may be a variety of White Oak, but I don't know right off.  Google can help.

[tperson]

On 12/28/2024 at 10:33 AM, Tom King said:

In this country, all Oaks are either a Red Oak or a White Oak.  That doesn't mean they are White Oak and Red Oak.  There are over a hundred varieties. Burr Oak may be a variety of White Oak, but I don't know right off.  Google can help.

this is what I think I know too...but which of the white oaks are (typically) for white oak lumber? Regardless of what we determine here, I put my order in for 75bft as a trial run. Heck, for what he's charging...it would make cheap firewood. I'll report back once I pick it up and get a couple of pieces planed. 

[B1rdhunter]

Burr oak is in the white oak grouping and according to two well known sawmills here in Iowa make some of the best QSWO.

[tperson]

On 12/30/2024 at 10:03 AM, B1rdhunter said:

Burr oak is in the white oak grouping and according to two well known sawmills here in Iowa make some of the best QSWO.

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know!

[B1rdhunter]

How much is he charging? I have 4 or 5 hundred bd. ft. of 4/4 and 8/4 but I'm out of 5/4 and wouldn't mind getting some.

 

[tperson]

he spit-balled ~$3.25/bft. The mill an hour away is $5/bft and I'd happily pay that (if the quality is the same), the savings in diesel and time is worth something. 

[B1rdhunter]

Keep forgetting to get back to you on the 5/4 QSWO. I would be interested in a fair amount but it would be a bit of a drive. Does he cut any walnut?

[tperson]

He mentioned that he'd cut anything that I (we) want...hedge, oak, walnut, etc. Apparently it's coming from a family farm in KS? PM me and I can get you his contact information. 

 

FYI: I'm cautiously optimistic that my initial order meets my expectations. If not, I figure I've spent $$ on worse...if so, I'll turn around and order 2-300bft. Give me another ~30 days and I can post pictures of what I ordered.

[B1rdhunter]

Did you ever get that oak from the close mill?

[tperson]

not yet...there was a death in his family and that, understandably, caused a delay. The last text I received was when he was milling it on 3/24. should be getting close. 

[wtnhighlander]

That's going to be an outstanding piece of furniture!

[tperson]

You guys want to hear about a scam?! It was an expensive lesson, and I'm convinced he knew exactly what he was doing this whole time! So, a couple of weeks ago I got a text that my 75bft order was done so i cruised the 8 miles down the road to pick it up. Yup, looks like 75bft of QSWO. Some nicer wide boards, some fairly narrow that I'll have to laminate to use but, overall, I was happy. 

 

Then, THEN...

...the dirty dog says "hey, I wanted to see if you'd be interested in this other oak."...and that's when things went south, for me. Sitting there was ~125bft of GEORGOUS QSWO...conveniently staged for easy loading. Yup, had to bring that home as well. The Dept of War and Finance wasn't unhappy, maybe just a little disappointed in my lack of restraint...but she get's it. I ended up with 200bft of QSWO for $3.25/bft. Oh, and the sawmill up the road an hour is now $6/bft.

 

After we got it all loaded, the sly devil said "you need any walnut?" I jumped in the truck as fast as I could and didn't look back. 

 

I asked him if I could share his contact information around, and he said that'd be fine. I'm hesitant to post it here publicly, PM me and I can send it to you; he's in Jansen, NE. 

[Ron Swanson Jr.]

On 8/12/2025 at 11:22 AM, tperson said:

The Dept of War and Finance 

I am SO stealing this!

[curlyoak]

Is it kiln dried? Or will you air dry it?

[tperson]

kiln dried