White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Rift-sawn to flat-sawn transition with prominent medullary rays and coarse texture. Features long, visible tyloses in the heartwood pores.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light tan. It darkens slightly over time with a golden-amber patina.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses that plug the vascular system, making it water-resistant.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrel making (cooperage), and high-end heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $9.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Post-harvest age appears to be 10-20 years based on surface oxidation and dry fiber texture, though the source tree was likely 60-80 years old.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable; abundant across its range and widely available with FSC certification. Not listed in CITES or IUCN Red List.
Workability
Generally good with machine and hand tools, though it has a high shrinkage rate. Responds well to steam bending. Pre-drilling is recommended for nails and screws.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when wet. High tannin content can cause blue-black staining if in contact with iron and moisture.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or penetrating oils are recommended to highlight the grain and provide protection.
Identification Confidence
High; the end grain clearly shows the ring-porous structure and prominent medullary rays characteristic of the Quercus genus, with tyloses-clogged pores specific to the White Oak group.