White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight and coarse-textured grain with a medium to large pore structure. This sample appears to be rift-sawn to quarter-sawn, characterized by linear, vertical grain lines without large cathedral figures.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast; heartwood is a light-medium brown, while sapwood is nearly white to light brown. It tends to darken or amber slightly with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, making it water-resistant. Highly resistant to insects.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrel making (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
Freshly milled or recently surfaced stock (0-2 years since machining), showing minimal oxidation or UV-induced darkening.
Sustainability Status
Widely available and sustainable; not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; FSC certification commonly available.
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools. It has a high shrinkage rate, so seasoned wood is essential. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked; high tannin content can cause corrosion of iron fasteners (resulting in blue-black staining). Pores are plugged with tyloses, which prevents liquid passage.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability; penetrating oils (tung or linseed) to highlight grain. Reacts well to ammonia fuming for a traditional Mission-style darkened look.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible open-pore structure, light olive-brown hue, and linear grain pattern are classic diagnostic features of North American White Oak.