White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Durable
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a mix of plain-sawn cathedral patterns and quarter-sawn fleck, showing prominent ring boundaries.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown with golden undertones, featuring characteristic pale sapwood and distinct growth rings with a moderate natural luster.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 5 to 15 years based on modern flooring installation standards, light wear patterns, and minimal oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant, widely available, not CITES listed, and generally considered sustainable with good FSC certification availability.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boat building, and barrel making due to closed cellular structure.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Good overall workability with both hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutters due to hardness and requires pre-boring for nailing.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, dyes, and clears very well; polyurethane or UV-cured finishes are ideal for flooring durability.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses in the heartwood vessels making it water-resistant, high tannin content which can react with iron.
