White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The sample shows prominent medullary rays characteristic of quarter-sawn or rift-sawn oak, forming a distinct fleck or flake pattern.
Color Description
Medium to dark brown heartwood with an olive cast. The sapwood is typically light white to light brown. The sample shows significant oxidation and patina, darkening the natural light tan to a weathered grayish-brown.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores. Highly resistant to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on width and ray fleck quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated 50-80 years old, based on the deep oxidation, surface check marks, and accumulation of surface grime and patina typical of antique utility furniture or structural reclaimed timber.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available as FSC certified.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools. Has moderately high shrinkage, so dimensional stability can be an issue. Reacts with iron (iron gall reaction) causing blue-black staining if wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. Contains high tannin content. Notable for 'tyloses' which plug the vessels, making it waterproof and ideal for liquid storage.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based finishes which highlight the ray fleck. Penetrating oils or wipe-on polyurethanes are recommended after thorough sanding to remove surface oxidation.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible large-pored ring-porous structure combined with long, distinct medullary rays (silver grain) is a definitive diagnostic feature of the White Oak group.