White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible on surfaces; large, open pores typical of the Ring-Porous structure are prominent.
Color Description
Variable from light to medium brown with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter off-white to light brown. Finishes to a warm golden tone; darkens slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay and rot due to tyloses that plug the vessels, making it liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine barrels (cooperage), trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled or stored; shows a modern rough-sawn surface with minimal oxidation or patina, likely less than 5 years since harvesting.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Relatively 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 blue-black staining when in contact with iron and moisture.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils, polyurethane, or lacquer. Stains well, though the large pores may require a grain filler for a glass-smooth finish.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible large-pored ring-porous structure, characteristic tan color with olive undertones, and coarse grain are definitive for North American White Oak.