Pin Oak - Problems in woodworking?

[Mark W Pugh]

I may have access to a couple, really big, pin oaks. Is this wood worth lumbering? I thought I read somewhere that it is no desirable. Any comments?

Thanks.

[Ed Labadie]

The only difference I recall was that is seemed harder than Red Oak, been a long time since I've worked with it.

Ed

[Danny Hamsley]

It is a red oak. Tends to hold on to dead branches and usually has lot of small knots called pin knots. One of the lower grade red oaks. Even so, you can get some good lumber from pin oak if you are not looking for clear boards and like a more rustic look.

[John TenEyck]

I milled one once. It was hard as the devil and full of little knots. Had a grayish cast to it, too, not pretty at all. I gave the wood away. Never done that before.

Pin oak does make good firewood.

John

[Craig White]

This was built from a residential tree full of little branches. My Grandpa planted it in 1960. The top was an exercise in grain filling.

Craig

[Danny Hamsley]

Very nicely done, Craig.

[Rich Riddle]

They use Pin Oak to make pallets. That's about its best use other than firewood.

[Mark W Pugh]

They use Pin Oak to make pallets. That's about its best use other than firewood.

OK. These trees are about 3-4" diameter. I didn't know if internal wood would be any good.

[Sean Troy]

OK. These trees are about 3-4" diameter. I didn't know if internal wood would be any good.
I'm assuming you meant 3-4 ft. in dia. Make sure it is actually Pin Oak. Match the leaves with a pic of a Pin Oak. Around here, most people call Willow Oak, Pin Oak and they are different. Willow Oak has some nice straight grain and is very strong.