White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and rot due to closed cellular structure (tyloses), making it suitable for outdoor applications.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a coarse and uneven texture, featuring prominent growth rings and noticeable ray fleck from quarter-sawn surfaces.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive or grayish cast, contrasting with a lighter sapwood. Darkens slightly to a rich amber over time with UV exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and rot due to closed cellular structure (tyloses), making it suitable for outdoor applications.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 4.00 to 8.00 USD per board foot depending on grade and thickness.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be moderately seasoned lumber, roughly 1 to 5 years since being milled.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant, highly sustainable, not listed on CITES appendices, and categorized as least concern on the IUCN Red List.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, hardwood flooring, boat building, exterior construction, tight cooperage (barrels), and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. Glues, stains, and finishes well, but reacts with iron fasteners to cause blue-black staining.
Finish Recommendations
Takes oil-based finishes, polyurethane, and varnishes exceptionally well. Water-based finishes can sometimes raise the grain slightly, so proper sanding and raising is recommended.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses which plug the pores making the wood water-resistant. High tannin content can react with steel and cause corrosion or staining in damp environments.
Notes
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