White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, medium-to-coarse texture with prominent visible pores. This sample shows a flat-sawn to rift-sawn orientation with a tight, consistent grain and no significant figure like burl or curl.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. Finishes to a warm golden tone; will darken slightly with UV exposure over time.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses that plug the vascular tissue, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot (varies by grade and width)
Wood Age Estimate
Contemporary wood (approx. 1-10 years post-harvest). The surface appears freshly milled or modern-manufactured with no significant oxidation or historical patina.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Relatively easy to work with machine and hand tools. It has a high shrinkage rate, so dimensional stability is a factor. Responds well to steam bending. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue-black staining. Famous for having tyloses in its pores which makes it liquids-impermeable.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are standard. Penetrating oils (like Tung or Danish oil) highlight the grain texture well. Acid-curing finishes also work effectively.
Identification Confidence
High; the pore structure, color tone, and grain arrangement are classic indicators of North American White Oak, likely in a commercial grade.