White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a medium to large texture. This sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral pattern with visible earlywood pores and prominent rays.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light brown. Develops a deeper, amber patina over time with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; high resistance to decay and rot due to the presence of tyloses in the heartwood which block fluid movement.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (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 cut (less than 10 years); shows clean planing marks and limited natural oxidation or UV darkening.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainably managed through FSC certification in most North American forests.
Workability
Reasonably easy to work with machine and hand tools, though it has high shrinkage. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when machined. High tannin content can react with iron-based fasteners to cause blue/black staining.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or polyurethane to highlight grain. May require grain filler if a glass-smooth surface is desired due to open pores.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pore structure, cathedral grain pattern, and characteristic grey-olive undertone are definitive markers of Quercus alba.