White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Coarse-textured, straight grain with prominent ray flecks (visible as rectangular blotches on the radial surface). The sample shows some wavy and irregular figure around a knot.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is near white to light brown. This reclaimed sample shows significant graying and weathering due to oxidation.
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-impermeable.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on width and character.
Wood Age Estimate
Old-growth reclaimed timber; based on ring density and surface oxidation, the wood likely came from a tree harvested over 50-100 years ago.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern on IUCN Red List; widely available and FSC certified sources are common. Reclaimed status is highly sustainable.
Workability
Generally good with machine and hand tools. High shrinkage requires careful drying. Reacts with iron (turning blue/black) when wet due to high tannin content.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'tannic' scent when cut. High tannin content makes it ideal for fuming with ammonia to darken the wood. Contains tyloses which plug the vessels.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Penetrating oils or film-forming finishes like polyurethane are recommended. Use caution with water-based finishes which can cause tannin pull.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible large rays (medullary rays) and coarse ring-porous structure are classic diagnostic features of the Quercus genus, specifically the white oak group.