White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible on the face; characteristic ring-porous structure with elongated rays
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter beige; darkens slightly with age to a more amber tone; low to medium luster
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in heartwood pores; good resistance to insects
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $9.00 per board foot depending on grade and region
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely kiln-dried and processed within the last 5-10 years based on crisp edges and minimal oxidation
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; not listed in CITES or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate; responds well to steam bending; glues, stains, and finishes well
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked; high tannin content can cause blue-black staining if it contacts iron in wet conditions; contains tyloses which make it waterproof
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are ideal to highlight grain depth; responds well to fuming with ammonia to darken color naturally
Identification Confidence
High; the ring-porous structure, large rays, olive-brown heartwood, and characteristic end-grain growth rings are diagnostic of the White Oak group