White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Strong, coarse grain with visible medullary rays and cathedral patterns on flat-sawn surfaces. Generally straight-grained but can be porous.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light brown. Finishes to a warm golden-yellow; darkens slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the heartwood which plug the pores.
Common Uses
Flooring, cabinetry, furniture, boatbuilding, barrel making (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Indeterminate; however, the sample appears in a modern context with standard milling marks suggestive of 21st-century production.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; widespread availability. Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Workability
Easy to work with both machine and hand tools. Glues and finishes well, though it has high shrinkage. Responds well to steam bending.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when wet. High tannin content can react with iron fasteners to create blue-black staining. High acoustic insulation properties.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or oils are recommended to highlight the grain. Stains very well, though open pores may require filling for a glass-smooth finish.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High. The strong grain structure and visible color values through the borescope screen align with Quercus alba, though high-resolution end-grain macro photos would be needed for absolute certainty.