White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with large, open pores. This sample exhibits a rift-sawn to quarter-sawn appearance with characteristic medullary rays visible as small flecks. Texture is uneven.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with a cooler, olive-colored undertone. Sapwood is light white to light brown. The wood tends to darken slightly over time towards a more golden-brown amber.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay and rot due to tyloses in the pores, making it water-resistant.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut (Quarter-sawn commands a premium).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber; likely 1-5 years post-processing based on lack of significant oxidation and fresh surfaced texture.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent results with machine and hand tools. However, it has a high shrinkage rate and can be prone to movement if not properly dried. Responds well to steam bending. Gluing, staining, and finishing are generally easy.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can cause blue-black staining if the wood comes into contact with iron in wet conditions.
Finish Recommendations
Takes all finishes well. Penetrating oils bring out the ray fleck, while polyurethane provides excellent protection for high-traffic flooring applications.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pored structure, color tone, and specific medullary ray patterns are consistent with the Quercus genus, specifically White Oak over Red Oak due to the tighter pore structure and color.