White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with coarse, uneven texture. Displays prominent cathedral grain in flat-sawn boards and some ray fleck characteristics consistent with ring-porous structure.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is light brown to grey-white. This sample shows a medium-brown stain with low luster and typical darkening with age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, which make the wood nearly liquid-impermeable.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut (Quarter-sawn is higher).
Wood Age Estimate
The flooring appears to be 10-25 years old based on the board width, finish wear, and slight oxidation visible near the vent.
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
Relatively easy to work with machine and hand tools. It has moderately high shrinkage and can react with iron fasteners (causing staining) if wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic acid content which can react with iron. It has a slight, tell-tale scent when being worked.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane is recommended for flooring applications to provide durability against foot traffic.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-grain structure, cathedral patterns, and long medullary rays are diagnostic of the Quercus genus, and the olive-tan hue is characteristic of White Oak.