White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The end grain shows prominent, large earlywood pores and distinct, long medullary rays typical of the White Oak group.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. The wood undergoes moderate darkening and ambering over time with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay. Highly resistant to liquids due to tyloses in the heartwood pores, making it waterproof.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and tool handles.
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
The sample appears to be freshly or recently cut (under 1 year) based on the light oxidation and prominent radial drying checks (cracks) originating from the pith.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Reacts with iron (turning blue/black) when wet due to high tannin content.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked. Contains tyloses which plug the vessels, making the wood impervious to liquids—the primary reason it is used for wine and whiskey barrels.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane, oil, or lacquer are recommended. It is advisable to avoid water-based finishes directly on bare wood to prevent tannin pull/staining.
Identification Confidence
High; the large earlywood pores arranged in rows and the long, conspicuous medullary rays visible in the cross-section are classic diagnostic features of the White Oak genus.