White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight with a coarse, uneven texture. Visible ray fleck on quarter-sawn surfaces and large, open pores typical of the Quercus genus. Large cathedral grain visible on flat-sawn sections.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light brown and is not always sharply demarcated from heartwood. Darkens slightly with age to a more amber tone. Contains grey-blue staining likely from iron-tannin reaction on the edges.
Hardness Rating
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Highly resistant to decay and rot due to the presence of tyloses which plug the vessels, making it nearly liquid-tight. Good resistance to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrel making (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern rough-sawn lumber, likely processed within the last 1-5 years, showing fresh milling marks and some surface oxidation/staining from storage.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Widely available with FSC certification. Not listed in CITES Appendices.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has a moderately high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well. Can react with iron (staining) when wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can cause dark blue/black stains when in contact with iron in damp conditions. Large, conspicuous medullary rays.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based finishes, polyurethane, and lacquer. Takes stain well, though the large pores may require a grain filler for a glass-smooth finish. Avoid water-based finishes directly on bare wood if iron contamination is suspected.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible pore structure, ring-porous grain pattern, characteristic color, and the specific grey-blue iron-tannin reaction staining on the wet/edge areas are indicative of White Oak.