White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Primarily straight to wavy with coarse texture; this sample shows a flatsawn face with a prominent knot and visible wood rays and large, open pores typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near white to light brown. The silver-grain ray fleck is visible. It tends to darken slightly and become more amber-golden with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it nearly water-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), 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
Relatively recent/modern (less than 10-20 years) based on the fresh appearance of the grain and lack of deep oxidation or mechanical wear.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well, but can react with iron-based fasteners to cause blue/black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked. Contains tyloses which block the vascular tubes, making it suitable for liquid-tight containers unlike Red Oak.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability; oil-based finishes enhance the depth of the grain. If open-pore look is not desired, a grain filler is required.
Identification Confidence
High; the large earlywood pores, characteristic ray flecks, light olive-brown hue, and the way the wood fibers wrap around the knot are indicative of North American White Oak.