White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight with a coarse, uneven texture; shows characteristic tyloses in pores and prominent medullary rays when quarter-sawn.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. Finishes slightly darker with age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay, frequently used in boatbuilding and tight cooperage.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market 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.
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.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can react with iron to cause black staining. Rings are ring-porous.
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.
Identification Confidence
High; the ring-porous structure, color, and coarse grain visible on the milled surface are classic indicators of North American White Oak.