White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain; the end grain shows prominent large earlywood pores and distinctive multiseriate rays typical of the Quercus genus. This sample is a rift-sawn to quarter-sawn orientation.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter. The wood tends to darken or amber slightly with age and sunlight exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it more water-resistant than Red Oak.
Common Uses
Flooring, cabinetry, fine furniture, boat building, cooperage (wine and whiskey barrels), and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $7.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local market conditions.
Wood Age Estimate
Fresh cut or recently surfaced; the wood shows no significant oxidation or grey weathering, suggesting it was milled or planed within the last year.
Sustainability Status
Widely available and sustainable; not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; FSC certification is commonly available.
Workability
Excellent with both hand and machine tools, though it has high shrinkage and can be prone to movement if not properly dried. It glues and finishes well but can react with iron-based fasteners (causing blue/black staining).
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when wet; contains high levels of tyloses which plug the vessels making it suitable for liquid storage; can cause skin or respiratory irritation in some individuals.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes beautifully; oil-based finishes enhance the depth of the grain, while polyurethane provides excellent protection for high-traffic surfaces like flooring.
Identification Confidence
High; the end grain structure visible in the photo—specifically the large, ring-porous earlywood pores paired with long, distinct medullary rays—is a hallmark of White Oak.