White Oak (Likely)
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Excellent rot resistance, waterproof due to tyloses blocking vessels, highly resistant to decay and fungal attack.
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Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain texture with visible ring-porous growth rings and prominent medullary rays.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium tan or yellowish-brown heartwood with slightly paler sapwood. Aging typically brings a golden amber patina.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Excellent rot resistance, waterproof due to tyloses blocking vessels, highly resistant to decay and fungal attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade, thickness, and regional availability.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern lumber cut; rough-sawn surface suggests recent processing within the last few years.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN). Readily available from sustainably managed forests, non-CITES listed, widely FSC certified.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, fine furniture, hardwood flooring, barrel coopering (wine/whiskey), boatbuilding, exterior construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Good workability with hand and machine tools, though high density causes slight dulling of cutting edges. Responds well to steam bending; glues, screws, and nails reliably.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains and oil finishes very well. Hardwax oils, polyurethane, shellac, and wiping varnishes highlight ray figure nicely. Pre-sanding is necessary to smooth rough saw marks.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when freshly worked, high natural tannin content (can react with iron to produce blue-black stains), ring-porous anatomical structure.
