White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. Visible prominent ray flecks characteristic of a rift-sawn or quarter-sawn orientation, providing a stable, linear appearance.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is light off-white to light brown. The sample shown appears to have a weathered or bleached 'limed' finish, reducing the natural golden tones.
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 vascular vessels, making it nearly liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Flooring, cabinetry, furniture, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), trim, and architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot (varies by grade and width)
Wood Age Estimate
Modern processing; the consistent surface texture and specific 'cerused' or gray-wash appearance suggest contemporary architectural flooring or veneer (0-5 years post-processing).
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; widely available and not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam-bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners (causing blue/black staining).
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when wet. High tannin content can cause corrosion in unprotected metal fasteners. Excellent rot resistance makes it superior to Red Oak for exterior use.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes deepen the tone, while water-based finishes maintain the lighter color. 'Cerused' finishes (using white wax in the open grain) are highly popular for this species.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of large, open pores and prominent medullary rays is a diagnostic feature of the Quercus genus, and the color cast is consistent with White Oak.