White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight and coarse-textured grain with visible medullary rays and large, open pores; displays a characteristic cathedral pattern around the small knot.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is pale white to light brown. Finishes to a warm honey-gold and tends to darken slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the heartwood which plug the pores.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or recently surfaced; light oxidation and clean surfece suggest the sample is less than 1-2 years old.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available with FSC certification; generally considered highly sustainable.
Workability
Excellent with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending; reacts with iron (staining) if wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked; high tannin content can cause dark staining when in contact with moisture and iron; tyloses make it waterproof.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes or polyurethane to highlight the grain; takes stains well, though a sanding sealer is recommended for an even finish.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pored ring-porous structure, color, and lack of reddish hues characteristic of Red Oak strongly indicate White Oak.