White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight and coarse grain with a medium to large texture. Visible medullary rays or "flakes" on the quarter-sawn face and cathedral arching on the flat-sawn face. This sample shows a predominantly straight but rough-cut texture.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast; sapwood is typically light tan to white. Color tends to darken slightly over time towards a medium amber/brown with exposure to light.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; known for its high resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in its pores, which block the movement of moisture. Resistant to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern sample likely cut within the last 5-10 years; the surface shows rough milling marks and minimal oxidation or environmental patina.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally considered very sustainable and widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools. It responds well to steam bending. Gluing, staining, and finishing are generally easy, though it has high tannin content which can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue/black stains.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, somewhat sweet scent when being worked. High tannin content and closed cellular structure (tyloses) make it waterproof. Heavy and strong with good wear resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based finishes, polyurethane, and lacquer. Due to large pores, a grain filler may be used for a glass-smooth finish. Avoid water-based finishes without a sealer to prevent tannin pull/discoloration.
Identification Confidence
High; the color, coarse ring-porous texture, and visible grain structure on the side faces of this turning blank are characteristic of the White Oak group.