White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse-textured grain with a prominent cathedral pattern visible on the face; display of medullary rays typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast; sapwood is slightly lighter and clearly demarcated; tends to darken slightly toward an amber hue with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores which make the wood nearly liquid-impermeable.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat building, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $9.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern/Freshly milled; minimal oxidation or wear, clean machine-cut edges suggest recent production.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available with FSC certification; generally considered high sustainability due to robust domestic growth.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a moderate blulling effect on cutters; glues and finishes well, but requires pre-boring for screws.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; high tannin content can cause dark stains if in contact with iron and moisture; ring-porous structure.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based finishes, polyurethane, and lacquer; open grain may require a grain filler for a glass-smooth surface.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible large open pores, color, and ray fleck structure are characteristic markers of White Oak.