White Oak (likely Quercus alba)
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; high resistance to decay, moisture rot, and fungal attack due to tyloses blocking pores.
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Grain Pattern
Straight face grain with prominent ring-porous earlywood rings visible across the cross-cut surface; displaying typical coarse texture and radial ray cell organization.
Color & Appearance
Light tan to pale grayish-brown heartwood with subtle beige tones and slight sapwood variation along the edge, darkening slightly to a richer golden brown with age.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; high resistance to decay, moisture rot, and fungal attack due to tyloses blocking pores.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade, thickness, and local availability.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Freshly cut/rough-sawn timber, likely milled recently (0-2 years old) showing rough saw marks and fresh drying checks/cracks.
- Sustainability Status
- IUCN Least Concern, not CITES listed, widely available with FSC certification option from sustainably managed forests.
Common Uses
Flooring, fine furniture, cabinetry, boat building, wine/whiskey barrels, framing, and interior millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Good workability with hand and power tools, though high density can dull cutting edges; glues, screws, and finishes well, but requires pre-drilling.
Finish Recommendations
Wipes clean well with oil finishes (boiled linseed oil, tung oil), polyurethane, or film finishes; filling open pores with paste pore filler is recommended for a smooth finish.
Notable Features
High tannin content (can react with iron/steel fasteners to cause blue-black stains), closed cellular structure (tyloses) making it impervious to liquids, and strong characteristic oak scent when worked.
