When oak has been newly cut, it is called green oak. The wood will have been felled within the last 18 months and it will have a very high moisture content while it is still so young – usually between around 60% to 80%. Despite its name, green oak does not look green, this merely refers to how new it is.

When oak is green, it will have a high moisture content and this will need to be reduced before it can be used structurally, or to make flooring or other products. The wood can be dried naturally or it might be kiln dried or seasoned in various other ways. This will ensure that it won’t move around and warp when it is used – a danger if there is still a lot of moisture in the wood’s structure. This will happen as the timber dries out and the moisture content reduces, which will eventually change the timber’s shape.