White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a rift-sawn to quarter-sawn appearance; exhibits prominent ray fleck and open pores typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with a grayish cast; sapwood is near white to light brown. Finishes to a warm golden tone but can be reactive to iron-based stains.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrel making (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on width and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Contemporary cut, likely processed within the last 5-10 years based on the lack of deep oxidation and clean surfacing.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; widely available and not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Has a tendency to react with iron (causing blue/black staining) and can be prone to splintering if tools are dull.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; high tannin content makes it ideal for fuming with ammonia; contains tyloses that plug vessel elements.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well, though large pores may require a grain filler for a smooth glass-like surface. Oil-based finishes enhance the grain effectively.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible large, open earlywood pores, radial ray lines, and the specific grayish-tan color profile are classic indicators of Quercus alba.