White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with large, prominent growth rings and distinct radial rays. The image shows a flat-sawn or cathedral grain surface with strong ring definition.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. It typically takes on a deeper, golden-amber hue as it ages and is exposed to UV light.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses which plug the vascular vessels, making it water-resistant.
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 width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern stock; the fresh surface and light color indicate a relatively new board, likely harvested within the last 1-5 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Responds well to both hand and machine tools. It has a moderately high shrinkage rate, but glues, stains, and finishes very well. Sharp blades are required to prevent tearout on coarse sections.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked. High tannin content can cause blue/black staining when in contact with iron and moisture. Excellent steam-bending properties.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils, polyurethane, or lacquer. Stains well, though the large pores may require a grain filler for a perfectly smooth glass-like finish.
Identification Confidence
High; the wide, prominent growth rings, light olive-brown coloring, and visible ray fleck patterns are characteristic of the Quercus genus, specifically the White Oak group.