White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample shows prominent medullary rays and 'ray fleck' distinctive of quarter-sawn or rift-sawn cuts.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast. Sapwood is light off-white to light brown. Tendency to darken slightly with age to a more golden amber hue.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to heartwood rot and decay due to tyloses within the pores which make the wood nearly liquid-impermeable.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, and wine/whiskey barrels (cooperage).
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on cut (quarter-sawn command a premium).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely processed within the last 5-10 years based on the lack of deep oxidation and clean, mechanical surfacing.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally managed sustainably through FSC certification.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners to cause blue-black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'oaky' scent when being worked. Contains high levels of tannins. Tyloses in pores make it superior to Red Oak for water-resistant applications.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes emphasize the ray flecks. Penetrating oils, polyurethane, or lacquer all work well. May require pore filling for a glass-smooth surface.
Identification Confidence
High; the presence of long medullary rays, light olive undertones, and the lack of open pores (tyloses present) clearly distinguish it as White Oak.