Lanso
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
- Location
- Cerritos, CA
Has anyone had success identifying white oak with the sodium nitrite test?
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sodium nitrite test?
- Thread starter Lanso
- Start date
- Replies 9
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Lanso
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
- Location
- Cerritos, CA
My question is - to anyone who has preformed this test - How accurate have you found the results to be?
I was about to buy some sodium nitrite and see for myself but first I thought posting this question here, I might receive a little insight into the subject.
I was about to buy some sodium nitrite and see for myself but first I thought posting this question here, I might receive a little insight into the subject.
So I guess you are trying to sort out your wood supply? White oak is very common in the southeast. Looking at white oak flooring as I write this. Is it not so common in California?
Here is some pretty good information on red and white oaks.
Here is some pretty good information on red and white oaks.
stephen thomas
Diamond
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2001
Look at it.
Smell it.
Does it have tyloses in the end grain pores?
White oak is pretty distinctive. but then again it is one of the most common lumbers on the east coast.
(Direct answer to your Q, no, i had not even heard of the test)
smt
Smell it.
Does it have tyloses in the end grain pores?
White oak is pretty distinctive. but then again it is one of the most common lumbers on the east coast.
(Direct answer to your Q, no, i had not even heard of the test)
smt
scsmith42
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2020
- Location
- New Hill, NC
Yes, I do it when I can't otherwise identify it.
Red oak will still change color; but it will be a lighter brown than white oak. After 15 minutes or so, a drop of sodium nitrite on white oak will turn a dark chocolate brown. Red oak will be a lighter, greenish color.
What I usually do though is to look at the length of the medullary rays in a flat sawn board. In red oak, the rays will not be longer than 3/4". White oak, on the other hand, can go up to 1.5- 2" of length.
The open pore test is not always accurate, because chestnut white oak is open pored.
What is it that you're trying to identify?
It gets tough when you have lots of white oak type trees around. I have some white oak, pin oak, post oak and chestnut oaks on my property and some sawn. They look similar but on side by side comparison they look different.
Here is an article from Missouri - apparently they have lots of white oak group trees too.
If you’re dealing with California grown wood, check to see what grows there for a start.
I will assume that you are mostly concerned with appearance as used in furniture. If so, you kind of need to go see the pile of wood and have a good hard look at it. If it looks like what you need it probably is. Quercus alba is the classic white oak for furniture making.
And more:
Here is an article from Missouri - apparently they have lots of white oak group trees too.
If you’re dealing with California grown wood, check to see what grows there for a start.
I will assume that you are mostly concerned with appearance as used in furniture. If so, you kind of need to go see the pile of wood and have a good hard look at it. If it looks like what you need it probably is. Quercus alba is the classic white oak for furniture making.
And more:
Last edited:
Lanso
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
- Location
- Cerritos, CA
Thanks for your response - finally someone answered my question!
I have red and white oak in my shop that I do my best to keep separate and mark. I know all the methods to try to identify but it isn’t always that easy so when I heard of this chemical test I thought I’d try it.
Lanso
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
- Location
- Cerritos, CA
I finally tried the sodium nitrite test and it does work. So far I’ve only tested known red or white oak and every time white turns dark and red will dry with just a little stain.
