White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain; flat-sawn displaying characteristic cathedral patterns and prominent, long medullary rays visible in the end grain and face.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is lighter off-white to light brown. Darkens slightly with age to a more amber tone.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses that plug the vessels, making it liquid-tight and highly resistant to moisture.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $9.00 per board foot (standard 4/4 select grade)
Wood Age Estimate
20-40 years, based on the oxidation of the machined surface and the slightly weathered appearance of the end grain.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Fairly easy to work with machine and hand tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked; high tannin content can cause dark staining when in contact with iron and moisture; contains tyloses in pores.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to highlight the grain and provide durability.
Identification Confidence
High; the end grain shows the classic ring-porous structure and long ray flecks characteristic of the Quercus genus, specifically the white oak group.