White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with prominent, long medullary rays visible in the end grain section; coarse texture with ring-porous structure.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is light beige to nearly white and thin. It typically darkens slightly with age to a more 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 liquid-impermeable.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
The tree appears to be approximately 35-45 years old based on a visible ring count on the log cross-section; the cut surface shows fresh oxidation with minor checking.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools. Has a moderately high shrinkage rate, so dimensional stability is a factor. Reacts with iron (turning blue/black) if wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when fresh; high tannin content; presence of tyloses in heartwood pores makes it suitable for water-tight applications.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to highlight the grain. Avoid water-based finishes without a sealer to prevent tannin pull.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of ring-porous structure, extremely long medullary rays characteristic of the Quercus genus, and the light olive-brown heartwood color is diagnostic of White Oak.