White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to wavy grain with a coarse, uneven texture. Cross-section shows prominent growth rings and large, tyloses-filled earlywood pores. Features large rays that create distinctive ray fleck when quarter-sawn.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown and is not always sharply demarcated from heartwood. Tends to darken slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to it's closed-pore structure (tyloses), making it suitable for water-tight applications and outdoor use.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and tool handles.
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 cut modern sample; approximately 20-30 years based on visible growth rings in the cross-section.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has moderately high shrinkage values, so dimensional stability can be an issue. Can react with iron (especially when wet) and cause staining and corrosion.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic odor when being worked. High tannin content makes it susceptible to iron-tanning reactions (turning black). The pores are plugged with tyloses, which makes the wood impervious to liquids.
Finish Recommendations
Finishes well, though the large open pores may require grain filler for a perfectly smooth surface. Oil-based finishes enhance the depth of the grain; takes stains evenly.
Identification Confidence
High; the end-grain structure showing ring-porous distribution, the specific color of the heartwood, and the thick bark are classic indicators of the White Oak group.