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 appearance with characteristic ray fleck and limited cathedral peaking.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood is slightly lighter cream color and not clearly demarcated from heartwood. Develops a richer, amber patina over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (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 width and rift/quarter-sawn premium)
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to medium-aged. The lack of significant graying or deep oxidation suggests modern stock, though it has been planed recently to expose fresh fibers.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available in FSC certified options.
Workability
Generally easy to work with machine and hand tools. It has a high shrinkage rate, so dimensional stability is a factor. Gluing, staining, and finishing are excellent.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue-black staining. Pores are closed by tyloses unlike Red Oak.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to highlight the grain. Reacts well to ammonia fuming for a darker, traditional look.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinctive pore structure, visible ray fleck figure, and light tan/olive color palette are diagnostic of Quercus alba.