White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight grain with visible cathedral figure in the flat-sawn sections. Features large, open pores and prominent medullary rays (visible in the circular end-grain plugs). Coarse texture.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood with an olive cast; sapwood is near-white to light brown. Exhibits moderate luster and tends to amber or darken 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 (membranous outgrowths that plug the wood's pores). Frequently used for water-tight applications.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot (depending on grade and geographic location)
Wood Age Estimate
Modern processing (5-15 years); the surface shows minimal oxidation and typical modern milling/joining with contrasting circular plugs.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools. It has a relatively high shrinkage rate, but bonds well with glue. It reacts with iron (turning black) if the wood is wet, which requires stainless steel or galvanized fasteners.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'oaky' scent when being worked; high tannin content; contains tyloses in pores which makes it suitable for liquid-tight containers (unlike Red Oak).
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or oil-based finishes are recommended to highlight the grain. Avoid water-based finishes directly on bare wood to prevent tannin pull/staining.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of large ring-porous grain, light olive-brown color, and the specific medullary ray patterns visible in the end-grain plugs are classic diagnostic features of White Oak.