White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, coarse grain with a medium to large texture. Visible medullary rays on the rift-sawn face and a porous end-grain structure with tyloses.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is a lighter white to light brown and is not always sharply demarcated from the heartwood. Luster is medium.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores that make the wood nearly liquid-tight. Highly resistant to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely kiln-dried and harvested within the last 1-5 years based on the lack of deep oxidation or graying.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not listed in CITES appendices. FSC certification is common.
Workability
Excellent results with hand and machine tools. Has high shrinkage, so seasoning must be done carefully. Responds well to steam bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though can react with iron fasteners leading to blue/black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic scent when worked. High tannin content can cause dark stains if in contact with moisture and iron. Contains tyloses, making it suitable for liquid-tight containers.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, lacquer, or oil finishes (Tung or Linseed) work well. Open-grain fillers can be used for a smooth glass-like finish, or left natural to highlight the texture.
Identification Confidence
High; based on the specific end-grain pore arrangement, the light olive-brown hue, and the characteristic coarse texture typical of North American Quercus alba.