White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight and coarse with prominent latewood pores and large attractive rays (medullary rays) visible as flecks; cathedral arches suggest a flat-sawn or plain-sawn cut.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct grayish-olive cast; sapwood is pale off-white to light brown. Low natural luster; darkens slightly to a more amber gold color with UV exposure and age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; high resistant to decay and rot due to tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it nearly waterproof; very resistant to insects.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine/whiskey barrels (tight cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and region.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern/Freshly surfaced; minimal oxidation or patina suggests the sample has been recently planed or sanded within the last year.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, though large pores may require grain filler for a glass-smooth finish. High tannin content can cause corrosion of iron fasteners (blue-black staining).
Notable Features
Distinctive mildly acidic scent when fresh; high tannin content; contains tyloses that plug vessel elements; high density and strength-to-weight ratio.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, lacquer, or oils (tung or linseed). Takes stains well, particularly in the open grain, though often finished naturally to showcase the ray fleck figure.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive ring-porous structure and large ray flecks combined with the olive-toned light brown color are classic indicators of Quercus alba.