White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Prominent cathedral grain pattern visible in flat-sawn orientation, characterized by coarse texture and large open pores typical of ring-porous woods; features distinct growth rings.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, currently displayed with a dark amber/brown stain. Naturally it has an olive cast. Sapwood is light white to light brown. It tends to darken or amber over time with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay and rot due to tyloses in the pores, making it more water-resistant than Red Oak.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, barrel making (cooperage), boat building, and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
The piece appears to be 30-50 years old based on the heavy oxidation of the finish, wear in the routed grooves, and the specific style of the mid-20th-century dark stain profile.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and FSC certified sources are common.
Workability
Relatively easy to work with machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate and can be prone to movement. High tannin content can cause blue staining if it reacts with iron fasteners in wet conditions.
Notable Features
Features a distinct, slightly sweet scent when worked. High tannin content provides natural rot resistance. Visible ray fleck can be seen if quarter-sawn (though this sample is flat-sawn).
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains well, as seen here. Recommended finishes include polyurethane for durability, or oil-based finishes to highlight the grain. Open pores may require grain filler for a glass-smooth surface.
Identification Confidence
High; the large, open pore structure visible in the routed indentations and the characteristic cathedral grain arc are definitive markers of Oak, while the lack of reddish tint and the tightness of the grain suggest the White Oak group.