White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Predominantly flat-sawn with characteristic cathedral patterns and some wavy, irregular figure in the lower sections. The grain is open and coarse-textured with large pores.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is a lighter off-white to light brown. It has a moderate luster and typically darkens and becomes more amber with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent decay resistance and rot resistance, frequently used in boatbuilding and tight cooperage (wine/whiskey barrels).
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels, interior trim, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern Northern America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Modern processing (within the last 5-10 years), evidenced by modern machine sanding marks and lack of deep oxidation or historical wear patterns.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available with FSC certification; not listed on CITES appendices.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though the large pores may require filling for a smooth finish.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can cause blue-black staining if it comes into contact with iron in wet conditions. Notable for having tyloses in its pores, making it water-tight.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes enhance the depth of the grain; polyurethane for high-traffic areas like flooring; reactive stains can be used to take advantage of high tannin content for 'ebonizing' effects.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible large-pored cathedral grain, olive-brown color cast, and the specific medullary ray fragments visible in the flat-sawn face are diagnostic of White Oak.