White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Durable, with very good resistance to rot and fungal decay due to tyloses blocking pores, making it suitable for exterior use
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a coarse, uneven texture and prominent growth rings featuring distinct earlywood and latewood pores
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, often with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter, nearly white to yellowish-brown, developing a warm amber patina over time
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable, with very good resistance to rot and fungal decay due to tyloses blocking pores, making it suitable for exterior use
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade, thickness, and whether it is plain-sawn or quarter-sawn
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be a recently harvested sample or relatively fresh cut based on the presence of intact, lichen-covered bark and unweathered inner wood
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices and generally of least concern on the IUCN Red List; widely available and sustainably managed in North American forests
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, exterior construction, cooperage (barrels), and architectural millwork
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it has a tendency to split when nailed, so pre-drilling is recommended; reacts strongly with iron fasteners in the presence of moisture, causing black stains
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains, oils, varnishes, and lacquers exceptionally well; water-based finishes help preserve the natural light color, while oil-based finishes enhance the golden-brown warmth
Notable Features
High tannin content which provides natural decay resistance but causes corrosive staining when in contact with iron; prominent rays create striking figure when quarter-sawn
