White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1,350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable (excellent resistance to rot and decay due to closed cellular structure with tyloses)
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a medium to coarse texture, showing typical ring-porous growth rings and prominent rays.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, often with an olive cast; sapwood is lighter, nearly white to yellowish-brown.
Hardness (Janka)
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable (excellent resistance to rot and decay due to closed cellular structure with tyloses)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 6.00 USD per board foot for standard lumber
- Wood Age Estimate
- The freshly cut log shows typical green/recently felled characteristics with checking on the end grain, likely from a mature tree roughly 60 to 100+ years old.
- Sustainability Status
- Species of least concern, widely abundant, not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN red list.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, outdoor projects, boat building, and tight cooperage (barrels).
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it has high density and can burn during routing if feed rates are too slow. Responds well to steam bending.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, dyes, oils, and varnishes very well. Often finished with polyurethane or conversion varnishes for durability.
Notable Features
Contains tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it impermeable to water, allowing it to be used for liquid containers and outdoor applications without heavy treating.
