White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable
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Grain Pattern
Prominent open-pore structure with prominent medullary rays visible in quarter-sawn sections and distinct ring-porous growth rings.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct paler sapwood, displaying heavy dark weathering or oxidation staining on the exposed top surface.
Hardness (Janka)
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on grade and whether reclaimed.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 50 to 100+ years old based on the weathered patina, dark oxidation, and structural context.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant, widely available, not CITES listed, and frequently harvested under sustainable forestry practices.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, and exterior construction due to natural rot resistance.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally good with both hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutters due to high density and reacts with iron to form blue-black stains.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, oils, and varnishes exceptionally well. Water-based finishes prevent excessive yellowing.
Notable Features
Contains closed cellular structures (tyloses) making it water-resistant, high tannin content, and distinctive ray fleck patterns.
