White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with large, prominent rays. This rough-sawn board shows a flat-sawn surface with prominent circular saw marks.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter. With age and exposure, it tends to darken into a deeper golden brown.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores that make the wood nearly water-tight.
Common Uses
Boatbuilding, wine barrels, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, heavy construction, and outdoor decking.
Geographic Origin
Eastern Northern America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot (varies by grade and width)
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh rough-sawn lumber, likely cut within the last 1-3 years based on limited oxidation and visible circular mill marks.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; widely available and not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; FSC certification common.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Due to its high tannin content, it can react with iron fasteners leading to blue/black staining when wet.
Notable Features
Tends to have a distinct, slightly acidic scent when being worked. High tannin content makes it suitable for darkening via fuming with ammonia.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Due to large open pores, a grain filler is recommended if a glass-smooth finish is desired. Penetrating oils bring out the natural golden hues.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the coarse texture, olive-brown color, and visible ray flecks characteristic of the Quercus genus are present, though the rough-sawn surface obscures some pore detail.