Tanoak

Tanoak – Lithocarpus densiflorus

Tanoak is a hardwood that makes excellent firewood. Tanoak firewood burns long and hot similar to black oak. Tanoak firewood is one of the most common types of firewood available on the north coast of California.

Tanoak or Tanbark Oak is not a true oak but is more closely related to the beech family. Tanoak is a broadleaf evergreen tree and the name tanoak comes from its tannin rich bark which was used in early days for tanning hides before modern synthetic tannins. Tanoak wood is very similar to oak and the acorns it produces are also very similar to those of oaks. Tanoak sprouts back from the stump after being cut down. These sprouts rapidly grow into new trees since they already have a well established root system from the parent tree. Tanoak can also make fine hardwood lumber but the lumber industry has yet to tap into this resource on a very large scale.

Tanoak Firewood BTU Rating

Green Tanoak Firewood
Green Tanoak Firewood

Tanoak Foliage
Tanoak Foliage

New tanoak trees sprouting from the stump.

New tanoak trees sprouting from the stump.

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