White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. End grain shows large earlywood pores arranged in rows (ring-porous) and prominent medullary rays and tyloses.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown and not always sharply demarcated. Tends to darken slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; famous for exceptional rot and decay resistance and water-tightness due to tyloses in pores.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $6.00 per board foot for rough-sawn green lumber; higher for kiln-dried select grades.
Wood Age Estimate
Approximately 40-60 years based on growth ring count visible on the log face.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainably managed in North America. FSC certified options common.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools. Has a relatively high shrinkage rate, so seasoning must be done carefully. Responds well to steam-bending. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when wet; high tannin content can cause dark stains when in contact with iron in wet conditions. Contains tyloses which block liquid flow.
Finish Recommendations
Stains and finishes very well. Often finished with oils to highlight grain or polyurethane for protection in high-wear applications like flooring.
Identification Confidence
High. The thick, blocky, deeply furrowed bark combined with the ring-porous end grain and prominent rays are classic diagnostic features of the White Oak group.