White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with conspicuous large medullary rays (visible as radial lines crossing and intersecting with growth rings) and a distinct ring-porous structure.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light brown. The wood darkens slightly over time with tan-to-grayish oxidation on freshly cut surfaces like this one.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot and decay because of tyloses in the heartwood which plug the vessels, making it liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine/whiskey barrels (tight cooperage), tool handles, and exterior construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly felled or rough-cut log section (0-1 month since cutting), based on high moisture appearance and raw saw marks without significant UV silvering.
Sustainability Status
Widely available and sustainable; not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; FSC certification commonly available.
Workability
Relatively easy to work with machine and hand tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Pre-boring is recommended for nails and screws to prevent splitting.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when wet. High tannin content can react with iron/steel fasteners to cause blue-black staining. Contains tyloses that make it water-resistant.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains well, though large pores may require a filler if a glass-smooth surface is desired. Responds beautifully to oil, polyurethane, and traditional fuming processes (ammonia reaction).
Identification Confidence
High. The ring-porous end grain coupled with the very clear, broad medullary rays are definitive anatomical markers for species in the Quercus genus (White Oak group).