White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight with medium to coarse texture; visible ray fleck (medullary rays) characteristic of quartersawn or rift-sawn oak, including slight wavy figure near knot areas.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. It tends to darken or yellow with age; low to moderate luster.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores which make it water-resistant.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on width and grain selection (quartersawn commands a premium).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely air or kiln dried within the last 1-5 years based on the fresh sawdust and lack of deep surface oxidation.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. FSC certification is common.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools. Has a moderately high shrinkage rate, necessitating careful seasoning. Reacts with iron (turning blue/black) if wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; contains high levels of tannins; ring-porous structure with tyloses that plug vessel elements.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane, oil-resin blends, or reactive finishes like fuming (ammonia) are common to highlight grain.
Identification Confidence
High; the presence of long medullary rays, the specific tan/olive color palette, and the open-pored ring structure are diagnostic of White Oak.