White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable, with exceptional natural resistance to decay, rot, and moisture due to closed cellular structures (tyloses)
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Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn with prominent medullary ray flecks (commonly known as 'tiger ray' or ray fleck figure)
Color & Appearance
Medium to dark brown heartwood under an aged, dark-toned historic finish with notable amber and orange highlights visible in the ray flecks
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable, with exceptional natural resistance to decay, rot, and moisture due to closed cellular structures (tyloses)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 8 to 15 dollars per board foot for standard rough lumber, significantly higher when found in antique furniture pieces with intact quarter-sawn figure
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 80 to 120 years old, characteristic of antique furniture from the early 20th century featuring heavy alligatoring in the aged varnish finish
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List; widely available, sustainably managed in North American forests, and frequently FSC certified
Common Uses
Fine antique furniture, Arts and Crafts style cabinetry, mission-style pieces, architectural millwork, boat building, and hardwood flooring
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Moderately difficult to work due to hardness and density; responds well to hand and machine tools but requires sharp blades, pre-boring for screws, and reacts with iron to form blue-black stains
Finish Recommendations
Traditional shellac, nitrocellulose lacquer, or dark pigmented wiping stains followed by varnish or wax to highlight the chatoyant ray flecks
Notable Features
High tannin content which provides natural decay resistance, prominent broad medullary rays creating striking quarter-sawn patterns, and heavy historic craquelure/alligatoring in the surface finish
