White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay, frequently used in boatbuilding and tight cooperage.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Straight with a coarse, uneven texture; shows characteristic tyloses in pores and prominent medullary rays when quarter-sawn.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. Finishes slightly darker with age.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay, frequently used in boatbuilding and tight cooperage.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Freshly milled or secondary-processed dimensional lumber; shows little oxidation or UV-induced darkening.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. FSC certification commonly available.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with machine and hand tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based stains and polyurethane. Use a sanding sealer to manage open pores if a glass-smooth finish is desired.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can react with iron to cause black staining. Rings are ring-porous.
