White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn with prominent medullary rays (fleck figure), coarse texture, and straight grain. The quartering showcases the characteristic "tiger stripe" or "flake" pattern unique to oaks.
Color Description
Medium to dark brown heartwood with a slight olive cast. The sample shows significant oxidation and a dark patina from age; sapwood (not visible) is typically light tan. Often darkens with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. High resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications unlike Red Oak.
Common Uses
Mission-style or Arts and Crafts furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat building, cooperage (wine/whiskey barrels), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot (standard), though high-figure quarter-sawn stock commands a premium.
Wood Age Estimate
50-100 years old. The deep patina, surface wear, and the specific quarter-sawn cut are highly characteristic of early to mid-20th-century American furniture.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainable; FSC certification is common for this species.
Workability
Good with machine and hand tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Hardness can dull cutters and cause splintering on the back side of crosscuts.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when wet. High tannin content can react with iron to create dark blue/black stains. Ring-porous structure with large earlywood pores.
Finish Recommendations
Historically finished with fuming (ammonia) to darken tannins, followed by shellac or wax. Modern polyurethane or oil-based finishes work well to highlight the grain fleck.
Identification Confidence
High. The presence of large, prominent medullary ray flecks in a quarter-sawn orientation is a diagnostic feature of the Oak genus, with the brown/olive tone specifically indicating White Oak.