White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight grain with prominent ray flecks or medullary rays visible in this quarter-sawn to rift-sawn cut; contains small knots and pith centers indicating a character grade.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter creamy white. It typically darkens slightly with age to a more amber tone.
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
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, barrel making (cooperage), boat building, and heavy timber construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot for Select/Better rift/quarter-sawn; this character-grade piece may be $4.00 to $6.00.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or recently surfaced lumber; likely less than 1-2 years old based on the lack of deep oxidation and the presence of fresh rough-sawn marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools; responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, though pre-boring is recommended for screws to avoid splitting.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; high tannin content can cause dark staining when in contact with iron and moisture; contains tyloses which block the vascular tubes.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or polyurethane to highlight the grain rays. Reacts well to ammonia fuming for a traditional Mission-style darkened look.
Identification Confidence
High; the presence of prominent medullary rays, the olive-brown color, and the specific ring-porous structure visible across the knots are diagnostic of the White Oak group.