Hardwood · Eastern North America

White Oak

Quercus alba

Light to medium brown, dramatic ray fleck when quartersawn.

Janka hardness1,350 lbf

Density (12% MC)47.0 lb/ft³

Weight per board foot3.9 lb

Rot resistanceHigh

Workability4/5

Price$$

Hardness compared

White pine Yellow Poplar Black Cherry Red Oak White Oak Hard Maple Shagbark Hickory Jatoba

Closed pores (tyloses) make it watertight. Quartersawn stock shows famous ray flake. Reacts with iron — use stainless or brass fasteners.

Typical uses: Mission furniture, outdoor furniture, boats, barrels, flooring.

Tangential coefficient (flatsawn)	0.00365 per 1% MC
Radial coefficient (quartersawn)	0.00180 per 1% MC
T/R ratio	2.03 (prone to cupping when flatsawn)
12" flatsawn board, 6% → 11% MC	0.219" (≈ 5.6 mm)

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