White Oak (most likely)
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with porous texture. Exhibits prominent medullary rays and cathedral patterns when flat-sawn. The sample shows a split face with distinct longitudinal vascular bundles.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is light cream to nearly white. The sample shows typical golden-tan oxidation and some staining near the pith.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Durable; excellent rot resistance and very resistant to decay. Often used for tight cooperage due to tyloses in heartwood pores.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $8.00 per board foot (standard lumber stock)
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly split or green (1-2 years since harvest based on lack of heavy weathering on the interior fibers).
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally sustainable.
Workability
Works well with hand and machine tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Gluing, staining, and finishing are excellent; can react with iron fasteners leading to blue-black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when wet; contains high tannin content; tyloses in pores make it waterproof (non-porous compared to Red Oak).
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very well. Oils (Danish, Tung) highlight the grain, while polyurethane provides maximum protection for flooring.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the ring-porous structure, color, and appearance of the medullary rays in the split wood strongly suggest Quercus (Oak) species, specifically the white oak group.