White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight-grained with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral pattern with prominent ray flecks characteristic of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast. Sapwood is light off-white to light brown. The sample shows significant graying and weathering due to UV exposure and oxidation.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the heartwood pores which make the wood water-resistant.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrel making (cooperage), and heavy construction.
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
Approximately 20-40 years since harvest based on the depth of the gray oxidation layer and the presence of rough-sawn mill marks.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and typically categorized as sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools. It has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue/black stains.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked. High tannin content makes it susceptible to iron staining. It is one of the few woods used for tight cooperage because of its liquid-tight cell structure.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based finishes that highlight the grain. If keeping the weathered look, a clear matte outdoor sealer is recommended. For interior use, polyurethane or shellac works effectively.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible large open pores, ring-porous structure, and classic light-brown-to-gray weathered patina are primary indicators of White Oak.