White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with large, prominent pores and conspicuous medullary rays visible as flecks or streaks on the face grain.
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 the heartwood. It 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 the presence of tyloses in its pores, making it suitable for outdoor use and boatbuilding.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and region.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber; the clean saw marks and lack of significant oxidation or patina suggest it is 1-5 years post-processing.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Fairly easy to work with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though the large pores may require a grain filler for smooth finishes.
Notable Features
Distinctive, tell-tale tannic odor when wet; contains high levels of tannins which can react with iron tools/fasteners causing bluish-black staining.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes highlight the grain brilliantly. Polyurethane provides excellent protection for high-wear areas like flooring. Requires no special prep other than standard sanding.
Identification Confidence
High; the end grain displays clear ring-porosity and visible tyloses clogging the large earlywood pores, which is a definitive diagnostic feature of White Oak compared to Red Oak.