White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable (due to closed cellular structure and tyloses)
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with pronounced quarter-sawn ray fleck patterns visible on several boards
Color & Appearance
Medium to dark brown, heavily fumed or chemically treated to a rich dark grayish-brown color, with prominent medullary rays
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable (due to closed cellular structure and tyloses)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 6.00 to 12.00 USD per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern or recently milled, potentially fumed/thermally modified stock
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, IUCN Least Concern, widely available with good forest management practices
Common Uses
High-end furniture, architectural millwork, flooring, boat building, cabinetry, and mission-style furniture
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally works well with hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutters due to silica content and reacts strongly with iron (causing black stains)
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, oils, varnishes, and waxes very well. Water-based finishes can sometimes raise the grain; oil-based polyurethane or hardwax oils accentuate the ray flecks wonderfully
Notable Features
High tannin content which reacts strongly with ammonia fuming to produce rich dark browns and blacks; presence of tyloses making it water-resistant
