White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy grain with a coarse texture; displaying characteristic prominent rays and a cathedral pattern typical of flat-sawn oak cuts
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter off-white to light brown. Darkens slightly with age to a more golden-amber hue
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-tight applications
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
4.00 to 8.00 USD per board foot depending on grade and region
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut to several months old; shows primary saw marks and minimal oxidation or patina, appearing as raw structural or rough-sawn timber
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available as FSC certified
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Tends to react with iron fasteners (causing blue/black staining) when wet
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; contains high tannin levels. Features large, visible pores and rays that create 'fleck' figures when quarter-sawn
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well; oil-based polyurethanes or reactive finishes (like fuming with ammonia) are popular to highlight the grain. Open-pore finishes are common
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the visible porous structure, color range, and 'cathedral' grain lines are highly characteristic of the Quercus genus, specifically the white oak group