White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn with prominent medullary rays (flecking); straight, coarse grain with a porous texture.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with a cooler, grayish-tan olive cast; sapwood is lighter off-white to cream. It develops a richer amber patina with age and light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent decay and rot resistance. Historically used for shipbuilding and barrels due to tyloses in heartwood pores.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on figure and width (Quarter-sawn command a premium).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern rough-sawn lumber, likely kiln-dried and harvested within the last 2-5 years.
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed; IUCN Least Concern. Widely available and generally harvested sustainably in North America.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools, though it has moderate shrinkage. High tannin content can react with iron-based fasteners (causing blue staining). Glue and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'oak' scent when worked; high tannin content; contains tyloses which make the wood waterproof; prominent ray fleck figure when quarter-sawn.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability; oil-based finishes enhance ray flecks; water-based finishes prevent yellowing. Steel wool should be avoided to prevent tannin reaction.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive medullary rays, coarse grain, and grayish-tan hue are classic indicators of quarter-sawn White Oak.