White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible toward the top and a prominent knot with surrounding swirl figure.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, often with an olive cast; sapwood is light off-white to cream. It develops a deeper amber patina over time.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores; commonly used for boat building and tight cooperage.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $9.00 per board foot for select grade
Wood Age Estimate
Modern rough-sawn lumber, likely within 1-3 years of harvesting based on the lack of deep oxidation and the presence of fresh milling marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally sustainable.
Workability
Works well with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Reacts with iron fasteners to cause blue/black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when seasoned; high tannin content; ring-porous structure with large earlywood pores containing tyloses.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to highlight the grain. Avoid water-based finishes without a sealer to prevent tannin pull.
Identification Confidence
High; the open grain structure, light tan color with olive undertones, and distinctive pore arrangement are characteristic of the Quercus genus, specifically the white oak group.