White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with large, prominent pores and distinct medullary rays visible as dark flecks or streaks.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter. With age, the wood tends to amber and darken under UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent decay and rot resistance, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, trim, cooperage (wine and whiskey barrels), and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut (e.g., quarter-sawn commands higher prices).
Wood Age Estimate
30-50 years based on the heavy oxidation of the finish, surface wear, and classic ambering of the top coat.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Relatively easy to work with machine and hand tools. It has good steam-bending properties and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue-black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive oak scent when being worked; high tannin content; tyloses in pores make it resistant to liquid penetration.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability; oil-based finishes enhance the depth of the grain and the natural golden-brown hue.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pore structure, dark large-vessel streaks, and characteristic color are diagnostic of White Oak.