White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a prominent cathedral pattern on flat-sawn surfaces and distinctive ray fleck on quarter-sawn boards
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct paler sapwood; darkens slightly to an amber tone upon exposure to UV light and air over time
Hardness (Janka)
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.50 to 7.00 USD per board foot for kiln-dried lumber
- Wood Age Estimate
- Living tree, estimated 30-50 years based on trunk diameter and bark development
- Sustainability Status
- Least concern conservation status, widely abundant, not CITES listed, readily available with FSC certification options
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, exterior construction, tight cooperage (barrels)
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Good overall workability; responds well to hand and machine tools, though it has moderate to high blunting effect on cutters. Glues, stains, and finishes well, but prone to iron staining
Finish Recommendations
Accepts a wide variety of finishes including oils, polyurethane, lacquer, and varnishes; water-based finishes help prevent excessive ambering
Notable Features
Closed cellular structure containing tyloses making it waterproof (ideal for boat building and barrels), high tannin content which reacts with iron
