White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1,350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable, highly resistant to rot, weathering, and insect attack due to tyloses
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Grain Pattern
Straight, quarter-sawn to rift-sawn face with prominent vertical ray fleck patterns
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a grayish cast, pale white to yellowish sapwood, moderate natural luster
Hardness (Janka)
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable, highly resistant to rot, weathering, and insect attack due to tyloses
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Moderate to High, approximately $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern lumber, estimated recently milled within 1 to 3 years
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, IUCN Least Concern, widely available and sustainably managed
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, hardwood flooring, boat building, exterior construction, and cooperage
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutting edges; glues, stains, and finishes well, high tannin content may react with iron
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains, oils, lacquer, and polyurethane exceptionally well; water-based finishes help preserve the natural light color
Notable Features
Contains tyloses that plug pores and make the wood water-resistant; high tannin content; characteristic ray fleck figure when quarter-sawn
