White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Coarse, straight grain with prominent, large rays and a cathedral pattern visible in flat-sawn sections and medullary rays in quarter-sawn sections
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with a grayish/olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter. The wood tends to darken slightly and become more amber with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Highly resistant to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and region.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly split or relatively young roughly-cut lumber, likely seasoned for less than 1-2 years based on the lack of deep oxidation/patina and crispness of fibers.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and harvested sustainably throughout its range; FSC certification common.
Workability
Generally easy to work with machine and hand tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when wet; high tannin content can cause blue-black staining if in contact with iron and moisture; tyloses make the grain waterproof.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, oil, or lacquer. Stains well but the large open pores may require grain filler for a glass-smooth finish.
Identification Confidence
High. The large, ring-porous end grain structure combined with the visible medullary ray flecks and fibrous split surface is diagnostic for the White Oak group.