White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight and open with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample shows prominent ray flecks or medullary rays characteristic of quarter-sawn or rift-sawn oak, including slight cathedral patterning.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with a yellowish-olive cast; sapwood is nearly white to light brown. The wood tends to darken slightly with age and UV exposure, becoming more golden.
Hardness Rating
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; excellent decay resistance and rot resistance. Heartwood is highly resistant to water infiltration due to tyloses in the pores.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrel making (cooperage), interior trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut (Quarter-sawn carries a premium).
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or recently surfaced stock; shows light oxidation and clear raw fiber with modern machine marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and generally managed sustainably.
Workability
Responds well to machine and hand tools. Good gluing and finishing properties, though it has high shrinkage. The wood can react with iron fasteners (causing blue/black staining) when wet due to high tannin content.
Notable Features
Distinctive ring-porous structure; high tannin content; tyloses in pores make it waterproof (unlike Red Oak); notable 'oaky' scent when being worked.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well, though large open pores may require a grain filler for a glass-smooth surface. Polyurethane or oil-based varnishes are typical for durability.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of large earlywood pores, prominent medullary rays (visible as silver flecks), and the olive-tan hue is diagnostic for White Oak.