Bill Monroe, a schoolteacher, was dissatisfied with the prevailing notion that Oregon White Oak was a “garbage” species and only suited for making firewood. His acreage, north of Sheridan, Oregon was predominately forested in the Oak as are many properties in Oregon’s Willamette valley. In 1979 He took a leave of absence from teaching and bought a small, Bellsaw™  sawmill. With the help of his wife and sons, he began to cut Oak cribbing used in the transportation of new semi-truck tractors to dealerships. Monroe Oak has been cutting this “industrial wood” ever since. Today, Bill’s sons Dan and Andy own and operate the business. Bill also experimented with kiln drying the Oak. Kiln dried Oregon White Oak has proved to be an excellent wood for flooring, cabinetry and furniture. Monroe Oak regularly kiln dries select boards, but they are available on a very limited basis as demand usually outstrips our supply.