White oak

White Oak, scientifically known as Quercus alba, is a hardwood native to the Eastern United States. It’s typically light to medium brown, often with an olive cast. The grain is straight, with a coarse, uneven texture.

White Oak is known for its strength, durability, and shock resistance. It has a Janka hardness of 1,350 lb f (5,990 N), and an average dried weight of 47.0 lbs/ft³ (755 kg/m³). Despite having moderately high shrinkage values, resulting in mediocre dimensional stability, it’s generally easy to work with and finishes well. However, it can react with iron, particularly when wet, causing staining and discoloration.

This wood is rated as very durable and is frequently used in boatbuilding and tight cooperage applications. Common uses include cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels, and veneer. Despite its many advantages, White Oak is usually slightly more expensive than Red Oak. However, it represents an exceptional value to woodworkers due to its strength, beauty, rot resistance, and ease of workability.

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