White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a medium to large ring-porous texture; visible tyloses in hardwood vessels and prominent rays typical of quarter-sawn or rift-sawn cuts.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is light white to light brown and is not always sharply demarcated from heartwood. Tends to darken slightly over time.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses that plug the vascular system, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrel making (tight cooperage), interior trim, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on cut and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern/recently milled (0-5 years) based on the lack of deep oxidation, absence of patina, and fresh machine-cut edges.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can react with iron fasteners when wet to cause staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked; high tannin content can cause blue-black staining if in contact with steel tools or fasteners.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or waxes highlight the grain; polyurethane or lacquer provide excellent protection for flooring and furniture applications.
Identification Confidence
High; the open grain structure, characteristic light brown color with olive undertones, and visible vessel lines are definitive of the Quercus genus, specifically the white oak group.