How much live oak helped American heavy frigates

How large an advantage did live-oak construction give American super-heavy frigates?

It was useful but not decisive against seasoned British oak; size, armament, crew quality, and whether the opponent was truly equivalent mattered more.

Live oak gave American constructors a strong and valuable material, but its edge over seasoned British oak is judged marginal rather than overwhelming. The early victories often paired American super-heavies with British ships that were smaller and less heavily armed. American crews still fought well in their first major war against a leading navy. Once equivalent Royal Navy frigates and ships of the line arrived, timber choice alone could not preserve the earlier freedom of action.