White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight with a coarse, uneven texture. Distinctive large medullary rays produce dramatic fleck patterns when quarter-sawn. End grain shows ring-porous structure with numerous small tyloses in latewood pores.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown and not always sharply demarcated. Tends to darken slightly to a more golden brown with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay. Frequently used for boatbuilding and tight cooperage due to tyloses that make the wood water-resistant.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, 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 width and grade (S3S or Rough-sawn).
Wood Age Estimate
The log section shows approximately 25-35 growth rings, suggesting it was harvested from a relatively young secondary growth tree or a large limb. Fresh cut marks indicate it was recently harvested.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. FSC certification is common.
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Due to high tannin content, it will react (stain black) if in contact with iron and water. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when freshly cut. Heavy and strong with excellent wear resistance. Contains tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it impermeable to liquids.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts most finishes well. Penetrating oils or wipe-on polyurethanes highlight the grain. Caution: water-based finishes can sometimes cause tannin pull/staining without a sealer.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive blocky, deeply furrowed bark combined with the light brown heartwood and prominent medullary rays visible on the end grain are classic indicators of Quercus alba.