White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1,350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular grain with a coarse, uneven texture and visible growth ring boundaries.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown with an olive or grayish cast, typically showing distinct lighter sapwood and darker heartwood.
Hardness (Janka)
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 4.00 to 8.00 USD per board foot for standard domestic lumber grades
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be moderately weathered rough-sawn lumber, several decades old.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on the CITES Appendices or IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and sustainably managed.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, architectural millwork, boat building, and tight cooperage (barrels).
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it has a tendency to split when nailed and reacts with iron (causing dark stains).
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, dyes, oils, and varnishes exceptionally well. Pre-boring is recommended for nailing or screwing.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses in the pores which make the heartwood resistant to liquid penetration, high tannin content causing corrosion with steel.
