White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The end grain shows distinct large earlywood pores and prominent tyloses, characteristic of the white oak group.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast. Sapwood is nearly white to light brown. Finishes take well, and it tends to darken slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; exceptional resistance to rot and decay due to tyloses which block the vascular tubes, making it suitable for liquid-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and cut.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be a section of a young branch or small tree, approximately 15-20 years old based on visible annual growth rings.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainable; FSC certified sources are common.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools. Has a relatively high shrinkage rate, so seasoned wood is preferred. Responds well to steam-bending.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'oak' scent when worked. High tannin content can cause a dark reaction when in contact with iron and moisture.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based stains, polyurethane, or wax. To highlight the grain, a paste wood filler can be used, and it reacts beautifully to fuming with ammonia.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the bark texture, the ring-porous structure with visible tyloses in the end grain, and the classic color of the North American White Oak group is diagnostic.