White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a coarse, uneven texture. Presence of cathedral patterns and significant ray fleck character visible in the radial section. Large, open pores visible in the growth rings.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. Exhibits moderate luster and will darken slightly with exposure to UV and age, developing a richer golden-brown patina.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; famous for its rot and decay resistance due to tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it water-resistant. Highly resistant to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat building, barrel making (cooperage), trim, and heavy construction applications.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Raw rough-sawn lumber, likely harvested and milled within the last 5-10 years based on the lack of deep oxidation and the presence of fresh-looking saw marks.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; widely available as FSC certified and considered highly sustainable due to large-scale forest management.
Workability
Produces good results with both hand and machine tools. It has moderately high shrinkage and can be prone to movement if not properly dried. Reacts with iron (turning blue/black) when wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. Contains high tannin content. Notable for its closed-pore structure which allows it to hold liquids, unlike Red Oak.
Finish Recommendations
Stains and finishes well. Recommended to use oil-based finishes to enhance grain or polyurethane for durability. Use caution with water-based finishes which can cause tannin pull.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic olive-tan color, pore structure, and distinct ray patterns on the rough face are diagnostic for the White Oak group.