White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight and open-pored; the end grain shows prominent large earlywood pores and distinct medullary rays which produce a characteristic 'flake' or 'fleck' pattern when quarter-sawn.
Color Description
Heartwood is light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is light-colored, off-white to light brown. Generally darkens slightly with age, gaining a more golden or deeper brown tone.
Hardness Rating
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; excellent decay resistance and rot resistance. Often used for water-tight applications due to tyloses in the pores.
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 (select grade lumber market price, though currently in log form as 'free wood').
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut logs; wood is green with high moisture content. Tree rings suggest a growth age of approximately 25-35 years for these specific sections.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainable; FSC certified options are common.
Workability
Excellent results with machine and hand tools. Has a high shrinkage rate, so seasoning is critical. Reacts with iron and can stain if in contact with steel in wet conditions; glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when wet. High tannin content makes it suitable for 'fuming' with ammonia to darken the wood. Pores are plugged with tyloses, making it waterproof.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very well. Oil-based polyurethanes or penetrating oils are recommended to highlight the grain and provide protection for flooring or furniture.
Identification Confidence
High; the deeply furrowed, blocky bark texture, light heartwood with olive undertone, and clearly visible thick medullary rays on the end grain are classic indicators of the White Oak group (Quercus alba).