White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses that plug the vessels, making it water-resistant and suitable for boat building
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Grain Pattern
Rift-sawn to quarter-sawn appearance with straight, coarse grain; shows visible tyloses in the pores and small medullary rays
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter off-white to light brown. Finishes to a warm golden tone and darkens slightly over time with light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses that plug the vessels, making it water-resistant and suitable for boat building
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut
- Wood Age Estimate
- Post-harvest sample showing minimal oxidation; likely less than 5-10 years old based on the clean, light color and lack of deep patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and generally sustainable
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, barrel making (cooperage), boat building, interior trim, and veneer
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Easy to work with machine and hand tools. It has a high shrinkage rate, so dimensional stability is a factor. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue/black staining.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very well. Polyurethane, oil-based varnishes, or shellac are recommended to highlight the grain. Avoid water-based finishes without a sealer to prevent tannin pull.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; high tannin content; ring-porous structure with pores filled with tyloses which makes the wood liquid-tight.
