White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Durable to Very Durable, with excellent resistance to rot and decay due to closed cellular structure (tyloses).
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with distinct ring-porous structure visible on the end grain, showing broad rays and a combination of flat-sawn and quarter-sawn surfaces.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a slight olive tint, and a paler whitish to light brown sapwood. The exposed end grain shows greenish discoloration likely due to copper-based end-sealer or chemical reaction.
Hardness (Janka)
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable to Very Durable, with excellent resistance to rot and decay due to closed cellular structure (tyloses).
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade and thickness
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled or fresh-cut rough-sawn lumber, likely less than 5 years old based on surface freshness and lack of deep weathering.
- Sustainability Status
- Not CITES listed, IUCN Least Concern, widely available and sustainably harvested in North America.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, exterior construction, cooperage (barrels).
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutting edges. Glues, stains, and finishes well, but reacts with iron to form black stains.
Finish Recommendations
Takes oil-based finishes, polyurethane, and varnish exceptionally well. Water-based finishes can be used if non-raising of grain is desired, but tannin bleed should be blocked if necessary.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses which make the wood water-resistant; high tannin content which reacts with iron; prominent rays visible on quartered surfaces.
Notes
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