White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses blocking pores, making it impervious to water.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a medium to coarse texture, featuring characteristic prominent growth rings and ray fleck when quarter-sawn.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, often with an olive cast; sapwood is a lighter white to cream color, darkening slightly with age and exposure to light.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses blocking pores, making it impervious to water.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot for standard lumber grades.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be from a mature tree approximately 60 to 100 years old, harvested recently as indicated by fresh bark and cambium exposure.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern status on the IUCN Red List. Widely available and sustainably managed throughout its natural range with good FSC availability.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, exterior construction, cooperage (barrels), and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally works well with both hand and machine tools, though it has a high-to-moderate bluntness on cutters. Responds well to steam bending, gluing, and staining, but requires pre-boring for nails and screws.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, oils, and varnishes exceptionally well. Water-based and oil-based polyurethane or traditional Danish oil are commonly used.
Notable Features
Contains high levels of tannins which provide natural decay resistance and can react with iron to cause dark staining.
