White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. Distinctive prominent ray fleck pattern visible on quartersawn surfaces and long, open pores typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown. Finishes to a warm honey tone and darkens slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; excellent resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses in the pores which make the wood nearly liquid-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), trim, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled secondary growth, likely harvested within the last 1-2 years based on the lack of oxidation and fresh saw marks.
Sustainability Status
Abundant and sustainable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. FSC certification widely available.
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has a moderately high shrinkage rate, necessitating careful drying. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though can react with iron fasteners to cause blue/black staining.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'tannic' scent when worked. High tannin content makes it ideal for fuming with ammonia. Pores are plugged with tyloses, making it suitable for water-tight applications.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very evenly. Penetrating oils (tung or linseed) highlight the grain, while polyurethane provides excellent protection for high-traffic flooring.
Identification Confidence
High; the visible porous structure, color palette, and rough-sawn texture are characteristic of North American White Oak, distinguished from Red Oak by the lack of reddish hue and tighter grain appearance.