White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; highly resistant to rot, decay, and moisture due to tyloses blocking pore structures.
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with prominent, open pore structure; mostly rift-sawn to quarter-sawn appearance showing slight ray fleck potential and subtle fine vertical grain lines.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium tan color with olive to greyish-brown undertones; sapwood is pale cream to light brown. Darkens slightly to a golden amber tone with age and light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; highly resistant to rot, decay, and moisture due to tyloses blocking pore structures.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade, thickness, and local availability.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern dimensioned lumber, recently surfaced/planed with minimal visible age patina or oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- IUCN Least Concern, not CITES listed. Widely available from sustainably managed forests in North America with FSC certification.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, hardwood flooring, architectural millwork, boat building, wine/whiskey barrels, and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Good overall workability with both hand and machine tools. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though pre-boring is recommended when screwing to avoid splitting.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts a wide range of finishes extremely well. Oil-based finishes enhance warm tones; polyurethane, lacquer, or hard-wax oils provide durable surface protection.
Notable Features
High tannin content which can react with iron/steel fasteners to produce dark blue-black stains in moist environments; characteristic faint sweet aroma when freshly cut.
