White Oak (likely displaying burr or clusters)
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular with clusters of small knots (pin knots) and incipient burr figure; coarse texture with prominent open pores visible as long vessel lines.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast; sapwood is light off-white to yellowish; low luster with significant color deepening upon finish application.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; excellent decay resistance and very rot-resistant due to tyloses in the pores that prevent water absorption.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, barrel making (cooperage), boat building, and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot (Premium for slab form with figure clusters)
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or air-dried slab; shows minimal surface oxidation and sharp saw marks suggesting the material was processed within the last 1-3 years.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; widely available and not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Workability
Relatively easy to work with machine tools, though figured areas may cause tearout during planing; glues, stains, and finishes well, but reacts with iron to cause blue-black staining.
Notable Features
Tends to have a distinct, tannic scent when wet; high tannin content; containing tyloses which make the wood waterproof (unlike Red Oak).
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung oil or linseed) beautifully pop the figure; polyurethane is recommended for heavy-use surfaces; avoid iron-based stains.
Identification Confidence
High; the large, open vessel pores, distinct rays (tangential view), light tan color, and characteristic 'pin knot' clusters are diagnostic for Quercus species.