White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Rift-sawn to quarter-sawn appearance; straight, medium-to-coarse grain with prominent medullary rays and large, open pores in the earlywood.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast; sapwood is light off-white to light brown. Darkens slightly with age toward a golden brown.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses which plug the vessels in the heartwood.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled commercial lumber; secondary seasoning likely within the last 6-12 months.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainable; FSC certification is common.
Workability
Responds well to machine and hand tools; can be difficult to steam bend. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though high tannin content can cause staining when in contact with iron.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'oaky' scent when worked; high tannin content; tyloses make the wood nearly liquid-tight.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based polyurethane, lacquer, or penetrating oils to highlight grain; avoid water-based finishes without a sealer to prevent tannin pull.
Identification Confidence
High; end grain shows classic ring-porous structure with thick medullary rays and tyloses in the pores characteristic of the Leucobalanus (white oak) group.