White Oak — Identification, Uses and Properties
Quercus alba Fagaceae
Widely available in various widths and thicknesses.
Highly valued for tight cooperage (wine and whiskey barrels) due to the presence of tyloses that make the wood waterproof.
HARDWOOD NORTH AMERICA CABINETRY
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Quercus alba
Family
Fagaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
White Oak (United States), American White Oak (United States), American White Oak (United Kingdom)
Origin Region
North America
Main End Uses
Cabinetry · Furniture · Interior trim · Flooring · Boatbuilding · Barrels (tight cooperage) · Veneer
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Light to medium brown, often with an olive hue.
Texture
Coarse, irregular.
Grain
Straight.
Sapwood
Lighter, nearly white to light brown; not always sharply demarcated from heartwood.
Interlocked Grain
No
Notes
Characterized by light-to-medium brown wood with a subtle olive cast and strong ray fleck on quartersawn faces. End grain shows ring-porous structure with large earlywood pores usually filled with tyloses. Distinctly wider and longer medullary rays compared to Red Oak.
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Log Description
Tree height
65 – 85 ft
Tree height
20 – 25 m
Diameter
100-120 cm
Buoyancy
Non-floating
Diameter
39.4-47.2 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.755 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
47.1 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
5.4
Janka Hardness
1,620 lbf
Janka Hardness
7,206 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.54 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
10.5 %
Radial Shrinkage
5.6 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.9
Fibre Saturation Point
30 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.19 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.11 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Crushing Strength
50.8 MPa
Crushing Strength
7,368 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
102.3 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
14,837 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
12,150 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,762,209 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Very DurableDry Wood Borers
Heartwood resistant; sapwood susceptible.Termites
ResistantTreatability
Extremely resistant (heartwood)Use Class
Class 3Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Slow
Risk Distortion
High
Risk Case Hardening
Moderate
Risk Checking
High
Risk Collapse
Occasional
Suggested Schedule
T4-C2
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Moderate
Machining Tools
Good results with hand and machine tools
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Excellent
Notes
One of the best woods for steam bending.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good (pre-boring recommended)
Fire Safety & Ratings
Euroclass
D-s2, d0
Commercial Grading
NHLA Grades
FAS FAS 1-Face Selects No. 1 Common No. 2A Common
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
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Completeness: 8.9 / 10