White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. Visible large pores characteristic of ring-porous hardwoods with slight ray fleck visible on the edges.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter. This sample shows significant oxidation and some gray-blue staining, likely from iron reaction or moisture exposure over time.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores that make the wood nearly water-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, boatbuilding, cabinetry, barrels/cooperage, and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $11.00 USD per board foot (depending on width and grade; reclaimed premium may apply).
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated 40-70 years old. The deep oxidation, surface check marks, and gray weathering (reaction to tannins) suggest this is reclaimed or salvaged material from an older structure.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally considered very sustainable and widely available.
Workability
Works well with hand and machine tools, though it has a moderately high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners to create dark stains.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'tannic' scent when worked. Contains high tannin content which can cause the wood to turn black when in contact with iron and water.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes highlight the grain beautifully. If the 'weathered' look is desired, a clear matte polyurethane or wax is recommended. Sanding to 220 grit is necessary to manage the coarse grain.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pore structure, characteristically long medullary rays (visible in the rougher sections), and the specific way the wood has aged/grayed are classic indicators of Quercus alba.