White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Predominantly straight but showing a prominent cathedral grain figure on the flat-sawn face; medium to coarse texture with large, open pores.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is light off-white to yellowish-brown and is clearly demarcated in the right edge of the sample. Over time, it develops a deeper amber patina with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay and rot due to the presence of tyloses that plug the vessels, making it nearly liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, roughly 1-5 years post-processing based on light oxidation and lack of deep surface wear or structural antique marks.
Sustainability Status
Widely available and sustainable; not CITES listed and classified on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern. Well-managed FSC-certified sources are common.
Workability
Generally works well with both hand and machine tools, though it has moderate shrinkage. Responds well to steam bending. Reacts with iron fasteners (causing blue/black staining) when wet due to high tannin content.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; tyloses in heartwood pores make it suitable for liquids; high tannin content can cause corrosion of non-stainless fasteners.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains and finishes well, though large pores may require a grain filler for a glass-smooth surface. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are standard for durability.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible cathedral grain, characteristic light-to-medium brown heartwood with olive undertones, and the presence of pale sapwood are classic indicators of Quercus alba.