White Oak (or Red Oak)
Quercus alba (or Quercus rubra) · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Durable (White Oak subgroup) with high rot and decay resistance, though external exposure has caused surface checking.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to coarse grain with distinct growth ring boundaries, large earlywood pores visible on end grain cross-section, and prominent medullary rays.
Color & Appearance
Dark greyish-brown to medium brown weather-stained end grain; interior heartwood ranges from light olive-brown to warm brown, with paler sapwood near the edges.
Hardness (Janka)
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable (White Oak subgroup) with high rot and decay resistance, though external exposure has caused surface checking.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.50 to $6.00 per board foot for dimensional lumber; $200-$300 per cord as firewood.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Harvested within the last 1 to 3 years; seasoned outdoor log length with end-grain checking and grey weathering.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List), widely abundant, non-CITES listed, widely available FSC certified.
Common Uses
Firewood (as pictured in stack), heavy timber construction, flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and wine/whiskey barrels.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Fairly easy to work with power tools, but dense structure requires sharp tools to prevent burning or tearout; glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Requires sanding to clean surface; responds well to oil-based finishes, polyurethane, or lacquer after cleaning off surface dirt and oxidation.
Notable Features
High tannin content, distinct ring-porous end grain structure with visible ray lines extending radially, strong resistance to liquid absorption in tyloses-filled White Oak.
