White Oak vs. French Oak

French Oak

• French oak is a slow-growing, deciduous, European tree. The tree can grow in most soil types, including very acidic and heavy clay soil. It thrives in moist soil and partial shade. These trees are large and sturdy with broad, rounded canopies. There are currently more than 400 oak hybrids in France. There are so many hybrids that there is some disagreement and uncertainty among botanists concerning proper oak tree identification.

White Oak

• White oak is a pervasive, eastern North American, long-lived tree. Although white oak has a reputation for slow growth, it can grow twice as fast as French oak on average. White oak grows in most soil types, with the exception of dry, shallow soils. Mature species reach 80 to 100 feet tall and 50 to 90 feet wide. These trees are characterized by tall, straight trunks with widespread, irregular crowns. The leaves turn a reddish-purple color in the fall.

Distribution

• French oak has wide distribution throughout many European countries, including France. The wood from French oak is typically identified by the region where it is grown. The primary French oak-producing areas of France include Allier, Lomousin, Nevers, Troncais, Bourgogne and Vosges. White oak grows throughout the eastern United States. Optimal conditions for white oak are in the central Ohio and Mississippi river valleys, as well as the western edges of the Appalachian Mountains. The largest trees are found in Maryland and Delaware.

Uses

• Both French oak and white oak are highly valued trees that are used for a wide variety of specialized applications, including furniture making, construction and ship building. Most significantly, both species are used in the production of wine barrels. In addition, the sawdust of French oak is used, during smoking, to provide additional flavor to food. Prior to being cut, French oak is individually sold at auction by the French government. The most valuable trees are usually between 110 and 150 years old. Within the United States, white oak is also a prized landscape tree that performs well in large parking lot islands and buffer strips.