Pin Oak
Quercus palustris
Hardness
Medium-hard; a versatile range for most furniture.
Overview
A red oak group member, often sold mixed with red oak at the lumberyard with essentially identical working properties.
Commonly built
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Millwork
Appearance
Reddish-brown with coarse, open grain, visually similar to red oak.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works the same as red oak, open pores need grain filler for a glass-smooth finish. Numerous small knots from branching habit are common.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn pin oak panel moves roughly 0.53 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Pin Oak move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Pin Oak?
Pin Oak has a Janka hardness of 1210 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Pin Oak suitable for outdoor use?
Pin Oak is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Pin Oak to work with?
Pin Oak has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Pin Oak move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn pin oak panel moves roughly 0.53 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Behaves like red oak for finishing: very open grain that shows through finishes and wicks water, high tannin that reacts with iron and water-based products. Grain-fill for smoothness, favor oil-based finishes, and do not rely on it outdoors.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used pin oak, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.