Peter, tan oak is in fact a tree native to the Pacific Northwest. In frontier days it was one of the most abundant and was widely used in building what were called corduroy roads. After felling the trees and stripping off the branches, the logs were laid side by side like straws. This was done because the area is so wet making roads impassible much of the time; therefore, the tan oak roads. The roads took there toll and the tan oak has only recently come back to some abundance.
Three Bears Turner 
September 23, 2011 at 2:23 AM
Is tan oak an actual tree?
September 23, 2011 at 2:40 AM
Peter, tan oak is in fact a tree native to the Pacific Northwest. In frontier days it was one of the most abundant and was widely used in building what were called corduroy roads. After felling the trees and stripping off the branches, the logs were laid side by side like straws. This was done because the area is so wet making roads impassible much of the time; therefore, the tan oak roads. The roads took there toll and the tan oak has only recently come back to some abundance.