White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a rift-sawn to quarter-sawn orientation; features long, prominent rays and distinct open pores typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter off-white. This sample shows a weathered gray-brown patina with low luster due to oxidation and surface texture.
Hardness Rating
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it nearly liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on width and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated 20-40 years old based on the depth of oxidation, surface checking, and silver-gray weathered patina indicating long-term air exposure.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
General workability is good with machine and hand tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Pre-boring is recommended for nails and screws.
Notable Features
High tannin content which can react with iron to cause blue/black staining; distinct 'tannic' scent when freshly cut; contains tyloses in pores making it waterproof.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes highlight the grain well; polyurethane provides excellent protection for flooring; requires sanding to a high grit to manage the open grain texture.
Identification Confidence
High; the large, open earlywood pores arranged in distinct rows and the characteristic 'wheat' color and ray fleck pattern are definitive of the White Oak group.