White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain; predominantly rift-sawn and quarter-sawn appearance; exhibits some cathedral grain on flat-sawn boards with large, prominent rays
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. Finishes to a warm honey-gold color; tends to darken slightly with age and UV exposure
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in heartwood pores; good resistance to insects
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), trim, and heavy construction
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot for Select grade lumber; $5.00 - $8.00 per square foot for installed flooring
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated 20-40 years old based on wear patterns, surface scratches, and slight ambering of the topcoat common in mid-to-late 20th-century installations
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainable with FSC certification common; not CITES listed
Workability
Good overall with both hand and machine tools; higher shrinkage causes moderate movement; glues, stains, and finishes very well; high tannin content can cause blue staining with iron contact
Notable Features
Distinctive 'oak' scent when worked; high tannin content; tyloses make the wood waterproof/non-porous compared to Red Oak
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane is standard for flooring shown; oil-based finishes enhance the golden tones, while water-based finishes keep it lighter; reacts well to fuming
Identification Confidence
High; the open grain structure, ray flecks, and specific golden-brown hue under a worn finish are characteristic of Quercus alba in a domestic flooring application