White Oak
Quercus alba · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Very Durable; highly resistant to decay and rot due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-resistant applications.
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Grain Pattern
Coarse, straight grain with large pores; the sample displays a long-grain cathedral pattern typical of flat-sawn oak flooring. High presence of medullary rays is expected in quarter-sawn sections.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Sapwood is near-white to light brown and is not always sharply demarcated from heartwood. Tends to darken slightly over time with light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable; highly resistant to decay and rot due to the presence of tyloses in the pores, making it suitable for water-resistant applications.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $10.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern (5-15 years); the flooring shows contemporary milling techniques and standard modern polyurethane wear.
- Sustainability Status
- Sustainable; not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available as FSC certified.
Common Uses
Flooring (as seen in the image background), furniture, cabinetry, boatbuilding, barrels (cooperage), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has high shrinkage, so seasoned wood is essential. Glues, stains, and finishes well. Reacts with iron (turning blue/black) if wet.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes very well. Hardwax oils or water-based polyurethanes are recommended for flooring applications to maintain the natural color.
Notable Features
Distinctive tannic smell when worked. Contains tyloses which block the vascular tubes, making it waterproof and ideal for wine and whiskey barrels.
