White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight with a medium to coarse texture; cathedral patterns visible in the flat-sawn sections with prominent growth rings and occasional small knots.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light brown and is clearly demarcated from the heartwood. It will darken slightly over time to a more golden tone.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; high resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-contact applications.
Common Uses
Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), 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 cut/worked green wood or air-dried stock; the bright color of the sapwood and absence of deep oxidation suggests it was recently processed from a log.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern; widely available and not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. It has a high shrinkage rate, so seasoning is important. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can react with iron fasteners (turning blue/black) when wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. Contains high levels of tannins. Characterized by tyloses which plug the vessels, making it waterproof.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based finishes, polyurethane, and lacquer. High tannin content makes it an excellent candidate for fuming with ammonia to darken the wood.
Identification Confidence
High; the ring-porous structure, color transition from cream sapwood to tan heartwood, and the rough, blocky bark visible at the base are classic indicators of the White Oak group.