White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a characteristic cathedral pattern visible in flat-sawn sections; prominent medullary rays (ray fleck) when quarter-sawn.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near white to light brown. Darkens slightly with age to a deep golden amber.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the heartwood pores, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on thickness and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern cut (late 20th to early 21st century) based on the clear saw marks and relatively light oxidation level.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC options.
Workability
Commonly easy to work with machine and hand tools. Glues and finishes well, though it reacts with iron fasteners (causing blue/black staining) when wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when freshly cut. Contains high tannin content. Notable for tyloses which plug the vessels, making the wood waterproof.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability in flooring; oil-based stains emphasize the grain; reactive stains (iron acetate) can achieve a weathered look.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pored ring-porous structure and characteristic light-brown hue with tight growth rings are prototypical of Quercus alba.