White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a medium to large texture. The sample shows a rift-sawn to quarter-sawn orientation with visible medullary rays and characteristic long, dark grain streaks.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood is light off-white to light brown. Heartwood darkens slightly with age to a deeper golden brown; low to medium luster.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores which make the wood nearly liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, barrel making (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 lumber, likely kiln-dried and harvested within the last 5-10 years based on the lack of deep oxidation or graying.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though large pores may require filling for a smooth surface.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can cause dark staining if the wood comes into contact with iron in wet conditions.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes highlight the grain beautifully; polyurethane for durability in flooring; reactive stains can be used to age the wood artificially due to high tannin content.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the light olive-brown hue, long ray flecks, and coarse ring-porous grain structure is diagnostic of the White Oak group.