White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The end grain shows prominent large earlywood pores and noticeable medullary rays which create a distinct radial pattern.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. It tends to darken slightly over time to a more golden brown.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and rot due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and tool handles.
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
Freshly cut/split (less than 6 months). The bright, pale color and lack of oxidation or graying suggest it is green wood or recently harvested timber.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent results with machine and hand tools. It has a moderately high shrinkage rate, so dimensional stability is a factor. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when wet. Contains high tannin content which can react with iron/steel to cause blue-black staining. Famous for tyloses which plug the vessels, making it liquid-tight.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or polyurethane to highlight the grain. If highlighting medullary rays (flakes), a light stain followed by a clear topcoat is effective.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible end grain shows the characteristic ring-porous structure and wide medullary rays of the Quercus genus, while the lack of open pores (tyloses presence) is a hallmark of the White Oak group.