Southern Red Oak
Quercus falcata · hardwood · Southeastern US · high movement
- Janka hardness 1,060 lbfred oak ≈ 1,290 lbf
- Density ≈ 41 lb/ft³specific gravity 0.59 at 12% MC
- Shrinkage — tangential 11.3%flatsawn width, green → ovendry
- Shrinkage — radial 4.7%quartersawn width
- T/R ratio 2.4 : 1higher = more cupping in flatsawn stock
Shop notes Coarser and faster-grown than northern red oak, with one of the widest movement spreads of any oak. Acclimate it longer than you think.
Seasonal movement at a glance
Width change for southern red oak across a typical indoor year — 6% moisture content in the heated winter to 12% in a humid summer:
| Board width | Flatsawn | Quartersawn |
|---|---|---|
| 6″ | 5/32″ (0.145″) | 1/16″ (0.060″) |
| 12″ | 9/32″ (0.291″) | 1/8″ (0.121″) |
| 24″ | 19/32″ (0.581″) | 1/4″ (0.242″) |
| 36″ | 7/8″ (0.872″) | 3/8″ (0.363″) |
Run your own numbers
Different width, different climate swing — the calculator below is preset to southern red oak:
Typical swings:
Southern Red Oak questions
How much does southern red oak move with the seasons?
A 12″-wide flatsawn southern red oak board moves about 9/32″ across a typical indoor swing from 6% to 12% moisture content; quartersawn, about 1/8″. Its tangential shrinkage is 11.3% and radial 4.7% (green to ovendry) — a high-movement wood.
How hard is southern red oak?
Southern Red Oak rates about 1,060 lbf on the Janka scale — softer than red oak but sturdy (red oak is roughly 1,290 lbf). Density runs about 41 lb/ft³ at indoor moisture levels.
Is southern red oak good for wide panels and tabletops?
Carefully. Its tangential-to-radial ratio of 2.4:1 makes flatsawn boards prone to cupping — choose quartersawn stock for wide glue-ups, alternate growth rings, and fasten tops so they can slide.
Similar species
African Mahogany (Khaya) · Teak · Southern Magnolia · American Holly · Black Walnut · Chestnut Oak
Shrinkage, specific gravity, and hardness from the Wood Handbook, FPL-GTR-282 (2021 edition), USDA Forest Products Laboratory (public domain). Values are species averages — individual boards vary with growth conditions and how they were dried.