White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable (resistant to rot and fungal decay due to closed cellular structure)
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with prominent quarter-sawn ray fleck (medullary rays)
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a grayish or yellowish cast, and paler sapwood. Medium luster, darkens slightly with age and exposure to light.
Hardness (Janka)
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable (resistant to rot and fungal decay due to closed cellular structure)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot (depending on grade and quarter-sawing)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern lumber, freshly milled or kiln-dried within the last 1 to 3 years
- Sustainability Status
- Least concern (abundant and widely available, widely harvested with sustainable forestry practices)
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, boat building, mission-style furniture, barrels, and interior millwork
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though it has a high cutting resistance due to density. Responds well to gluing and screwing, but pre-boring is recommended to prevent splitting.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains, oils, varnishes, and lacquers exceptionally well. Water-based finishes can occasionally raise the grain slightly.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses in the pores which make it water-resistant. High tannin content, which reacts with iron to cause staining.
