White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable, with excellent natural resistance to rot, fungal decay, and insect attack, especially when exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular grain with a medium to coarse texture, featuring a plain-sawn and mixed-rift face with visible ray fleck in localized areas.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with a distinct paler sapwood boundary; the color can deepen slightly to an amber or golden brown tone with age and exposure to UV light.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable, with excellent natural resistance to rot, fungal decay, and insect attack, especially when exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade and thickness
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively recently milled or surfaced lumber, estimated at 1 to 5 years old based on clean surfaces and minimal weathering.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant, widely distributed, not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN Red List, and readily available from sustainably managed forests.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, heavy flooring, cabinetry, timber framing, exterior construction, boat building, and tight cooperage (barrels).
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it can blunt cutting edges due to silica content; glues, stains, and finishes well, but reacts with iron to cause dark staining.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts a wide variety of finishes including oils, polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer; water-based finishes help minimize ambering if a natural look is desired.
Notable Features
Closed cellular structure due to tyloses in the heartwood vessels, making it water-resistant; high tannin content which provides superior rot resistance.
