White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a medium to large texture. The sample shows signs of rift-cut or quarter-sawn orientation evidenced by the vertical grain lines and subtle medullary ray flakes.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter. Tends to darken slightly with age and UV exposure, losing the olive tint and becoming more golden brown.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay. Highly resistant to water infiltration due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for boat building.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $9.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut (Quarter-sawn commands a premium).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern cut (less than 10 years). The wood appears recently milled with minimal oxidation or secondary patina, likely stored in a workshop or garage environment.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools. It has a high shrinkage rate, so dimensional stability can be an issue if not dried properly. Reacts with iron and causes staining (iron gall ink reaction) when wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'tannic' scent when worked. Contains high tannin levels. Open-pored texture but pores are plugged with tyloses, unlike Red Oak.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes (tung oil) are common to highlight the grain and provide protection. Fuming with ammonia is a traditional technique used to darken this species.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible pore structure, light brown/olive color palette, and presence of medullary rays are classic indicators of Quercus alba.