White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with large pores. Visible medullary rays on the surface suggest a rift-sawn or quarter-sawn appearance common in structural oak segments.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter off-white to light brown. Finishes to a warm golden hue but may darken significantly with age or exposure to iron.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses which block the pores, making it water-resistant.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), and heavy construction timbering.
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
Modern cut (late 20th to early 21st century), showing minimal oxidation but some rough-sawn surface texture consistent with utility-grade lumber.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Excellent results with machine and hand tools. However, it can have a high shrinkage rate and reacts with iron (rust) to produce blue-black stains.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when cut; contains tyloses which make the heartwood impermeable to liquids; high tannin content may causes corrosion in iron fasteners.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to highlight the grain. Avoid water-based finishes without a sealer to prevent tannin pull.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the ring-porous structure, color, and coarse texture are classic indicators of Quercus species, with the light olive cast specifically suggesting White Oak over Red Oak.