White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight-grained with coarse texture; presents prominent ray fleck when quarter-sawn. Visible ring-porous structure with large earlywood pores.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. Finishes to a warm honey-gold and darkens slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay and rot due to tyloses in the pores, making it liquid-tight.
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 width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern rough-sawn lumber; likely kiln-dried and harvested within the last 1-5 years based on the lack of oxidation and visible machine marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent results with machine and hand tools. Has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though large pores may require filling for a glass-smooth surface.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when cut; high tannin content can cause dark stains when in contact with iron and water.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based stains, polyurethane, or reactive finishes like ammonia fuming; takes penetrating oils beautifully.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pore grain structure, light tan color, and characteristic large medullary rays visible in the rough-cut surface are indicative of the Quercus genus, specifically the white oak group.