White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with pronounced growth rings, showing characteristic prominent ray flecks in quarter-sawn boards and cathedral grain patterns in flat-sawn planks.
Color & Appearance
Medium to dark brown heartwood with a warm, rich tone achieved via staining; paler sapwood is largely masked by the dark finish. Exhibits a natural medium luster which deepens with light exposure over time.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 4.00 to 8.00 USD per board foot depending on grade
- Wood Age Estimate
- Newly installed or recently refinished flooring made from mature timber.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, low concern on IUCN Red List, widely available with FSC certification options.
Common Uses
Flooring, fine furniture, cabinetry, boat building, and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutting edges due to high density. Glues, stains, and finishes well, but reacts with iron to cause dark staining.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, conversion varnish, or penetrating oils; water-based finishes should be used with care to avoid grain raising, and reactive stains can highlight the prominent pore structure.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses in the heartwood vessels which make it resistant to water penetration, high tannin content.
