White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Durable to very durable, with excellent resistance to rot and fungal decay due to closed cellular structures (tyloses)
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with distinct ring-porous structure and prominent medullary rays visible on quarter-sawn surfaces
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct paler sapwood, darkening slightly to a rich amber with age and UV exposure
Hardness (Janka)
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable to very durable, with excellent resistance to rot and fungal decay due to closed cellular structures (tyloses)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Moderate, roughly $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated several decades old, likely from a mid-20th-century furniture piece or reclaimed stock based on the dark finished face grain and oxidation
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, IUCN Least Concern, widely available and sustainably harvested with FSC certification options
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, cooperage (barrels), and heavy timber construction
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutting edges due to high tannin content and density; glues, stains, and finishes well
Finish Recommendations
Accepts a wide range of finishes including polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, and Danish oil; non-reactive finishes recommended if avoiding tannin reaction
Notable Features
High tannin content which can react with iron to cause dark staining; closed cellular structure makes it resistant to liquid absorption, historically used for waterproof barrels
