White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular with a coarse, uneven texture. Exhibits prominent medullary rays and cathedral patterns when flat-sawn.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is light white to light brown. Darkens slightly with age to a more golden brown.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; high resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and veneer.
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 rough-cut lumber; recent processing indicated by fresh surface fibers and lack of significant oxidation or patina.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and harvested sustainably throughout its range; FSC certified sources common.
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, though pre-boring for screws is recommended.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked. High tannin content can react with iron to cause dark staining. Closed-pore structure makes it waterproof.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based finishes, polyurethane, and lacquer. Takes stains well, though large pores may require a filler for a glass-smooth finish.
Identification Confidence
High; the coarse texture, ring-porous structure, and characteristic light-brown/olive color are indicative of the White Oak group.