White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, which seal the wood.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Strong cathedral grain pattern visible on the face grain with typical ring-porous structure; medium to coarse texture with prominent rays characteristic of the Quercus genus.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast; sapwood is much lighter. With age and UV exposure, it tends to darken into a deeper golden brown.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, which seal the wood.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 - $9.00 per board foot (standard grade)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 20-40 years old based on the oxidation of the surface and circular saw marks indicating older milling processes.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. FSC certification is common.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrel making (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Good overall results with hand and machine tools, though it has moderate blunting effects on cutters. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or drying oils (linseed/tung) highlight rays; polyurethane or lacquer provide durability for floors and table tops.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked; high tannin content can cause dark stains if in contact with iron and moisture.
