White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Flat-sawn cathedral grain with coarse, open texture and prominent medullary rays typical of the Quercus genus; visible circular saw kerf marks on face.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct olive cast; sapwood is lighter off-white to cream. It develops a deeper golden-brown patina with exposure to light and age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on width and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled (1-5 years) based on the freshness of the circular saw marks and lack of deep oxidation or surface wear.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification; considered very sustainable.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools, though it has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. It glues, stains, and finishes well, but reacts with iron (turning blue/black) when wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; contains high tannin levels; ring-porous structure with large earlywood pores.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or polyurethane to highlight grain. If staining, a pre-stain conditioner is recommended to ensure even absorption in open pores.
Identification Confidence
High; the large open-pore structure, cathedral grain pattern, color, and presence of medullary rays on the end grain are classic indicators of Quercus alba.