White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium to coarse texture, typically featuring a distinct cathedral pattern when flat-sawn.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, often with an olive cast; sapwood is white to light brown and clearly distinct.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 4 to 8 dollars per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently harvested log showing typical weathering and moss growth on rough outer bark.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices and generally considered of least concern by the IUCN, widely available from sustainably managed forests.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, architectural millwork, exterior applications, boat building, and tight-cooperage casks.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Responds well to hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutting edges due to high density; prone to splitting when nailed, so pre-boring is recommended.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains, dyes, oils, and varnishes exceptionally well; water-based finishes help preserve the natural lighter color.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses in the pores which make the wood water-resistant, along with a high tannin content that makes it reactive to iron.
