White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight with a medium to coarse texture; visible rays and distinct longitudinal surface flecks characteristic of quarter-sawn or rift-sawn oak.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is light white to light brown. Darkens slightly to an amber hue over time.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores which make it liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on cut and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to under 5 years; the sample shows minimal oxidation and very sharp, modern machine-cut edges.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and non-CITES listed; often available with FSC certification.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, though it can react with iron fasteners leading to staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive oak scent when worked; high tannin content; contains tyloses that make the wood pores closed and water-resistant.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to highlight the grain. Avoid water-based finishes without a sealer to prevent tannin pull.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible open-pore structure, light tan color with olive undertones, and conspicuous medullary rays are definitive for the Quercus genus, specifically White Oak group.