Back to directory
Illustration—not a verified specimenLive Oak (Quercus virginiana) wood grain — Janka 2,680 lbf
Hardwood
Common in U.S.

Live Oak

Quercus virginiana

Genus: Quercus · Family: Fagaceae

Marine
Construction

Quick Facts

Wood Type

Hardwood

Native Range

North America

Avg. Dried Weight

62 lb/ft³

Janka Hardness

2,680 lbf

Decay Resistance

Durable

Typical Color

Light Brown

Stability

Medium

Outdoor Suitability

Good

Workability

Difficult

Availability

Common in U.S.

CITES

Unlisted

IUCN

Not Evaluated

Limited data · 2/9

Did You Know?

  • •Live Oak is harder than 87% of the 137 species in our database.

Janka Hardness Scale

2,680lbf

Very Hard

Live Oak
100
690
1,010
1,360
1,450
1,820
3,510
4,570

Appearance

Heartwood ColorLight Brown
GrainInterlocked
TextureCoarse

Technical Properties

Avg. Dried Weight62 lb/ft³
Specific Gravity (basic)Not recorded
Specific Gravity (12% MC)Not recorded
Janka Hardness2,680 lbf
Modulus of RuptureNot recorded
Elastic ModulusNot recorded
Crushing StrengthNot recorded
Shrinkage (Radial)Not recorded
Shrinkage (Tangential)Not recorded
Shrinkage (Volumetric)Not recorded
T/R RatioNot recorded
Stability RatingMedium

Sources, Conditions & Safety

No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.

Wood dust & sensitivity

Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.

Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.

Durability & Performance

Decay ResistanceDurable
Outdoor SuitabilityGood

Workability

Overall RatingDifficult
Blunting EffectHigh

Common Uses

Boatbuilding
Heavy Construction
Other

Sustainability & Trade

Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.

CITES StatusUnlisted
IUCN StatusNot Evaluated

Native Distribution

North America

Find Substitutes

AI-powered alternative species matching

Look-Alike Species

Woods with a similar light brown color that are easily confused with Live Oak. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.