White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight with medium to coarse texture; visible large pores and prominent medullary rays consistent with quarter-sawn or rift-sawn orientation on the top face.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast; sapwood is light off-white to light brown. Darkens slightly with age to a more amber tone.
Hardness Rating
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
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
Recently milled sample (1-2 years); shows fresh rough-sawn surfaces with minimal oxidation or patina development.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Tough and strong; distinct 'oaky' scent when being worked; contains high tannin levels which can react with iron fasteners to cause blue/black staining.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, oil-based stains, or reactive finishes like fuming (ammonia). Requires grain filler for a perfectly smooth glass-like surface.
Identification Confidence
High; the end grain pore structure, presence of wide medullary rays, and characteristic light-brownish 'olive' hue are diagnostic of the White Oak group.