White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn with prominent medullary ray fleck figure, straight-grained with coarse texture and open pores
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast; sapwood is light brown. Shows orange-brown patina from aged finish and light exposure
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; rated as very resistant to decay with excellent rot resistance due to tyloses in the pores
Common Uses
Furniture (specifically Arts and Crafts/Mission style), flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, and cooperage (barrels)
Geographic Origin
Eastern Northern America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
6.00 to 10.00 USD per board foot for quarter-sawn stock
Wood Age Estimate
50-80 years; based on the specific quarter-sawn ray fleck figure common in mid-20th-century furniture and the physical wear/patina
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and FSC certified
Workability
Excellent results with machine and hand tools; high shrinkage rate requires careful drying. Reacts with iron fasteners to cause staining
Notable Features
Distinctive medullary rays (flecking) when quarter-sawn; high tannin content; characteristic 'oaky' scent when worked
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability on tabletops; reacts well to ammonia fuming and oil-based stains to highlight grain
Identification Confidence
High; the presence of large medullary ray flecks combined with the coarse, open-pored grain structure is definitive for quarter-sawn White Oak