White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America, ranging from Maine to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas.
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and rot due to closed cellular structures (tyloses), offering moderate insect resistance.
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with prominent growth rings and distinct cathedral patterns on flat-sawn faces; medullary rays visible as flecks in quarter-sawn sections.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct paler sapwood. The color tends to darken slightly to a rich golden-brown hue upon light exposure and aging.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and rot due to closed cellular structures (tyloses), offering moderate insect resistance.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 4.00 to 8.00 USD per board foot depending on grade and thickness.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be freshly milled or recently dried lumber (less to a few years old), showing minimal patina or oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN), widely abundant, not CITES listed, and readily available with FSC certification options.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, exterior construction, tight cooperage (barrels), and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, ranging from Maine to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutters due to its density. Responds well to gluing, screwing, and staining, but high tannin content may react with iron to cause black staining.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts a wide variety of finishes including polyurethane, oils, lacquer, and varnishes. Water-based finishes are effective, but care should be taken to avoid iron-based reactions with the wood's natural tannins.
Notable Features
Contains high tannin content making it naturally water-resistant; features prominent tyloses in the vessels which block moisture transport.
