White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
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Grain Pattern
Flat-sawn cathedral patterns with coarse texture; contains occasional knots and straight to slightly irregular grain.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is nearly white to light brown. Low luster and tends to darken/yellow slightly with age.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern (less than 10-20 years based on light oxidation and lack of significant patina or wear marks).
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and sustainable.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it has high shrinkage.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, oil, or wax. Reactivity with tannins allows for specialized fuming or chemical staining (e.g., ammonia fuming).
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; high tannin content can cause dark staining when in contact with iron and moisture.
