White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse, and open-pored grain with visible medullary rays and large earlywood pores. This sample exhibits a flat-sawn cathedral-like structure with somewhat splintered fibers.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter. The sample shows significant graying and patina due to exposure and oxidation.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Highly resistant to decay and rot due to the presence of tyloses that plug the pores. Frequently used for exterior and marine applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine barrels, tool handles, and construction timber.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on thickness and quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Old-growth or reclaimed timber, estimated 50-80 years based on the heavy oxidation, graying, and weathered surface texture.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable. Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, although it can react with iron fasteners (causing blue-black staining).
Notable Features
Features tyloses in the pores making it waterproof (unlike Red Oak); notable for its distinct tannic acid scent and tendency to stain blue when in contact with iron and water.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, oil, or lacquer. Stains well, but due to its high tannin content, chemical fuming (ammonia) is a classic method to achieve a deep brown color.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible large open pores, radial rays on the splintered edges, and the classic olive-brown heartwood color are definitive for the White Oak group.