White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible in the upper section. Features prominent, elongated open pores typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with a slightly olive/grayish cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter than the heartwood. It maintains a medium luster and typically darkens to a more amber/golden hue over time with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the heartwood pores, which make it nearly water-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat building, barrels (cooperage), and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely harvested within the last 5-10 years and processed into finished goods recently, showing minimal oxidation or wear.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Produced good results with hand and machine tools. It has a moderately high shrinkage rate, but glues and finishes well. It can react with iron (staining) when wet due to high tannin content.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when freshly cut. High tannin content makes it suitable for fuming with ammonia to darken the wood.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to enhance the grain depth. Pore filling may be required if a glass-smooth surface is desired.
Identification Confidence
High. The large, open-pored ring-porous structure and the specific tan-olive color cast are hallmark indicators of White Oak.