White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
The grain is straight with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample displays characteristic large, open pores and prominent medullary rays (flecks) typical of the Quercus genus, appearing in a flat-sawn to slightly rift-sawn orientation on the curved chair back.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is a lighter off-white to light brown. This specific sample shows a warm yellow-golden hue likely due to an aged oil or lacquer finish. White oak tends to darken slightly and become more amber with time.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Highly resistant to decay and rot due to tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it nearly liquid-tight; frequently used in boatbuilding and barrel making.
Common Uses
Furniture (chairs, tables), cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and thickness.
Wood Age Estimate
The wood itself appears to be from a mature tree; as a finished piece of furniture, the oxidation of the finish and wear patterns suggest it is 20 to 50 years old.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. FSC certification is common for this species.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. It has a moderately high shrinkage value resulting in mediocre dimensional stability. It reacts with iron (turning blue/black) if the wood is wet. It glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic odor when being worked. High tannin content can cause corrosion of unprotected fasteners. The presence of tyloses in the pores distinguishes it from Red Oak.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to all finishing types. For furniture, a polyurethane or lacquer topcoat over a light stain is common. Penetrating oils can also enhance the grain fleck.
Identification Confidence
High; the prominent pore structure and ray flecks visible on the curved back rail and spindles are diagnostic of Quercus alba.