White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn with prominent medullary ray figure (ray fleck). The grain is straight and coarse-textured with large, open pores visible on the face.
Color Description
Light to medium brown with an olive cast. Sapwood is typically white to light brown. Finishes to a warm golden-amber and darkens slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent decay and rot resistance due to the presence of tyloses in heartwood pores, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, barrel making (cooperage), boat building, interior millwork, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot for quarter-sawn stock.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely kiln-dried and harvested within the last 5-10 years. Surface shows minimal oxidation/patina, suggesting a relatively recent plane or sanding.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available and generally considered sustainable; FSC certification is common.
Workability
Good results with hand and machine tools. Responds well to steam bending. Hardness can cause moderate dulling of cutters. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though high tannin content can cause iron staining/blackening.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'oak' scent when worked. High tannin content. Unique cellular structure containing tyloses which block the flow of liquid, making it unique among oaks for liquid storage.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) highlight the ray fleck beautifully. Polyurethane or lacquer for durability. Reacts well with ammonia fuming for a traditional Mission-style finish.
Identification Confidence
High. The visible medullary rays in a quarter-sawn orientation, combined with the ring-porous structure and characteristic tan/olive coloration, are definitive for White Oak.