wrote:
It is does not seem logical to suspect Quercus virginiana to be the
type of wood used in Noah's ark because Q. virginiana is native to
North America. The name gopherwood comes from the Bible so its origin
would seem to have no relation to gophers native to North America.

The origin of plant common names is often not as simple as the name
seems to suggest. More logical candidates would be Old World tree
species known to be used in ship-building by ancient peoples.

One suggestion is that gopherwood referred not to a specific tree
species but to "laminated wood", a technique that may have been
required for such a large ship. Another suggestion is that it was
referring to "pitched wood", which is wood waterproofed with pitch.

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/gopherwood.html

"The bottom-line is that the ancient (gopher) word matched the ancient
(live oak) core in UNT's lab. There is no remaining mystery about this.
Sorry that we ruined one of the many things you were looking forward
to. However, look at it this way dh321, so far it is only just one.
Also sorry to hear that God and Noe's right, and your galant,
exceptional, outstanding and well thought out analysis' wrong. Please
do not let us, or anyone else for that matter, ruin anymore of the many
wonderful things (answers) you were looking forward to. Thanks."

(notebook 6)

Gopherwood Range Theory
John Denke, Biology
University of North Texas
Fall Semester, 1999

Abstract:

Biologists know that gophers are found only in the Western Hemisphere.
The gopher tortoise, species Gopherus polyphemus, is its eldest
endangered species living in a Southeastern U.S. range. Also living
within this range is the resilient Southern live oak, species Quercus
virginiana. Its naturally-curved main branches were used exclusively
for the strongest shipbuilding frames. "Old Ironsides", the oldest
commissioned ship still afloat in the world, is built from this
Southeastern U.S. gopher's wood's forests. Thus, "gopher" wood in name
is the same species of wood as USS Constitution's. Quercus virginiana
(after Philip Miller, botanist)

Other biologists suggest three of the four known Gopherus living
species: G. agassizii, G. berlandieri and G. flavomarginatus. However,
all three range in non-forested areas. Ancient stone anchors, similar
to 5,000-year-old anchors found at Bimini and the Middle East, are
common in U.S. Gulf Coast hurricane flood zones.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopher_wood

Thanks for helping.