White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral pattern on the right and prominent large, open pores typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is light off-white to light brown. It tends to darken slightly with age, becoming more golden-brown.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to decay and rot due to the presence of tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it nearly waterproof.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely kiln-dried and harvested within the last 1-3 years based on the lack of oxidation and clean surface texture.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has moderately high shrinkage and can react with iron (especially when wet) to cause staining. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when being worked; contains high tannin content which can turn the wood black if it contacts iron and water.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to enhance the depth of the grain. If used for liquid-holding vessels, it is often kept natural or wax-treated.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinctive large ring-porous grain structure, color, and ray fleck patterns are classic diagnostic features of White Oak.