White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn grain with prominent medullary ray fleck figure (tiger stripes). Exhibits straight, vertical grain through the majority of the face with slight wavy figure in the ray flecking.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood is light cream, though not visible here. The wood has a low to medium luster and typically darkens to a more amber or golden-brown tone with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Exceptional resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, which make the wood nearly liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrel making (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $12.00 per board foot for high-grade quarter-sawn stock.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern kiln-dried stock, likely less than 5 years since harvesting based on the clean surfacing and lack of significant oxidation or patina.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools. It has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue/black staining (iron gall ink reaction).
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content makes it ideal for fuming with ammonia. Quarter-sawing provides excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or hard-wax oils are recommended to highlight the ray fleck figure. Polyurethane or lacquer are also suitable for high-wear surfaces like flooring or tabletops.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible medullary rays combined with the tight, ring-porous grain structure and light brown-olive coloration are diagnostic characteristics of quarter-sawn White Oak.