White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Coarse, straight grain with prominent rays. The sample shows a flat-sawn face with some cathedral-like characteristics and open pores.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast; sapwood is light tan. Darker streaks in the sample suggest iron-gall staining or wetting of tannins.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; excellent resistance to rot and fungal decay. Heartwood is very resistant to moisture due to tyloses blocking vessels.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern sample (under 10 years). Surface shows mechanical rough-sawn marks and some environmental staining (oxidation/water stains).
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES restricted. FSC certification is common.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools, though it has moderate shrinkage. Reacts with iron (turning blue/black) when wet. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Contains high tannin content; distinctive oak scent when worked; ring-porous structure with tyloses that make it waterproof and suitable for liquid-tight containers.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to most finishes including polyurethane, oil, and lacquer. High tannin content makes it suitable for fuming with ammonia or staining with iron acetate.
Identification Confidence
High; the coarse texture, large open pores, and the specific tannic staining pattern are characteristic of the Quercus genus, specifically the white oak group.