Most likely White Oak; possible Red Oak or ash — Quercus alba (alternatives: Quercus rubra, Fraxinus spp.)

Most likely White Oak; possible Red Oak or ash

Quercus alba (alternatives: Quercus rubra, Fraxinus spp.) · Hardwood

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Type
Hardwood
Origin
Eastern and central North America; widely grown and milled in the United States.
Hardness
About 1,360 lbf Janka—Hard.
Durability
Durable; heartwood has good decay resistance, while sapwood is less resistant to insects and rot.

Got a wood sample like this?

Identify any wood from a photo, free.

Identify wood

Grain Pattern

Predominantly straight, open-grained, with subtle cathedral/diagonal figure consistent with flat-sawn stock; no clear medullary-ray view is visible.

Color & Appearance

Pale tan to light brown with darker brown streaking and surface oxidation; likely to mellow slightly darker and warmer with age and light.

Hardness (Janka)

About 1,360 lbf Janka—Hard.

Durability & Decay Resistance

Durable; heartwood has good decay resistance, while sapwood is less resistant to insects and rot.

Value & Age

Estimated Market ValueNot an official valuation

Approximately $6–$12 per board foot for ordinary kiln-dried white oak; figured or exceptionally clear stock may cost more.

AI estimate for general guidance only — not a professional appraisal. Actual value depends on grade, dimensions, condition, and local market demand.

Wood Age Estimate
Cannot be reliably estimated from this image; the darkened end/surface may indicate handling or oxidation rather than substantial age.

Common Uses

Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, joinery, barrels, veneer, tool handles, and general construction.

Geographic Origin

Eastern and central North America; widely grown and milled in the United States.

Workability

Machines and sands well, though open pores require filling for a glass-smooth finish; can blunt tools moderately and may split without proper pilot holes.

Finish Recommendations

Sand progressively, optionally fill the pores, then apply oil, shellac, lacquer, or polyurethane; water-based finishes preserve its lighter color.

Notable Features

Distinctive open pores, prominent ray fleck when quarter-sawn, strong structure, and good steam-bending properties; end grain would improve certainty.

Learn more about Most likely White Oak; possible Red Oak or ash in the Wood Encyclopedia
Identified September 7, 2026