White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a coarse, uneven texture. The image shows a flat-sawn or rift-sawn pattern with characteristic long ray flecks and large, open pores typical of the Quercus genus.
Color Description
Naturally light to medium brown, often with an olive cast. In this sample, it has been stained a dark 'Antique Oak' or Walnut-tone. Heartwood is light-medium brown; sapwood is white to light brown. It darkens and yellows slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
1,360 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent decay resistance; heartwood is rot-resistant and was historically used for boat building and outdoor barrels because of its tyloses-clogged pores.
Common Uses
Furniture (specifically roll-top desks as shown via the tambour), cabinetry, flooring, boat building, cooperage (wine/whiskey barrels), and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern Northern America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $10.00 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
30 to 60 years. The oxidation of the finish and the construction style of the tambour (roll-top) slats suggest mid-to-late 20th-century manufacture.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Widely available and generally considered sustainable; FSC certification is common.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools. It has moderately high shrinkage and may react with iron (causing blue/black staining) if wet. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though the large pores may require filling for a glass-smooth finish.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'tannic' scent when cut. Contains high levels of tannic acid. Noted for its 'tyloses' which make the wood waterproof (unlike Red Oak).
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for durability. Because it is ring-porous, wiping stains are highly effective at highlighting the grain, as seen in this dark-stained sample.
Identification Confidence
High. The prominent ring-porous grain structure, visible medullary rays, and the specific application in a tambour-style roll-top desk are classic diagnostic indicators of White Oak.