White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse, and open grain with visible ray flecks. This sample displays flat-sawn and rift-sawn characteristics with some cathedral peaking visible.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter white to light brown. Finishes to a warm honey-gold and tends to darken slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores that make the wood nearly water-tight.
Common Uses
Flooring, cabinetry, furniture, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and interior millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Modern processing, likely 5-15 years old based on wear patterns and modern milling precision.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Commonly easy to work with machine and hand tools. Good gluing and finishing properties, though it has high shrinkage. Responds well to steam bending.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when cut. High tannin content can react with iron to cause dark staining. Large visible rays on quarter-sawn surfaces.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or polyurethane provide the best protection for flooring. Can be stained easily, though the large pores may require a grain filler for a glass-smooth finish.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible open-pore structure, growth ring arrangements, and characteristic wheat-meets-olive coloration are diagnostic of White Oak.