White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1350 lbf, Hard
- Durability
- Very Durable, highly resistant to rot and fungal decay due to closed cellular structure (tyloses).
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with visible large open pores typical of ring-porous hardwoods, plain-sawn and split presentation in the damaged area.
Color & Appearance
Light to medium brown heartwood with grayish undertones and prominent dark weathered or stained patches, low luster due to age and paint coverage.
Hardness (Janka)
1350 lbf, Hard
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable, highly resistant to rot and fungal decay due to closed cellular structure (tyloses).
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot depending on grade
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 50 to 100+ years old based on historical layered paint styles and oxidation patterns.
- Sustainability Status
- Not threatened, widely abundant, and readily available with good FSC certification options.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, architectural millwork, boat building, and historically common in framing and trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though it can dull cutting edges due to high silica content and requires pre-boring for nails and screws.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, varnish, or penetrating oils; requires careful sealing if exposed to iron to prevent tannin staining.
Notable Features
High tannin content which can react with iron to cause dark blue-black stains, highly water-resistant due to tyloses blocking pores.
