White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample displays prominent ray flecks characteristic of quarter-sawn or rift-sawn orientation, visible as small light-colored streaks across the face.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light brown. The wood tends to darken slightly over time towards a more golden-brown amber hue; low to moderate natural luster.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on figure and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh milled stock (0-5 years) based on the lack of deep oxidation or graying and the clean, sharp edges of the cut.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; widely available and not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has high shrinkage and can be prone to movement, but glues and finishes well. Can react with iron fasteners to cause blue/black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content makes it ideal for fuming with ammonia to darken the wood. Presence of tyloses makes the heartwood impervious to liquids.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very well. Penetrating oils (tung or linseed) highlight grain flecks, while polyurethane provides excellent protection for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the light tan color with olive undertones, the visible cellular pore structure, and the characteristic medullary ray flecks are definitive for the White Oak group.