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White Oak

White Oak 1

White oak (scientific name: Quercus alba) has a heartwood of light to medium brown color with an olive cast. Sapwood is almost white to light brown and not distinguishable from the heartwood. Its texture is coarse and uneven, and its grain is straight.

White Oak is commonly found in eastern United States. It is very durable.

Janka Hardness :

5,990 N (1,350 lbf)

Average Dried Weight :

755 kg/m3 (47 lbs/ft3)

Workability :

Good results are achieved with either hand tools or machine tools. White oak turns well and responds well to steam bending. It is good with glues and stains and finishes well. Moderate to high shrinkage value results in poor dimensional stability, particularly in flat cut/sawn boards. It is prone to reacting with iron, especially when wet), which causes discoloration and staining.

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Pricing / Availability

White oak is generally available in ample quantity throughout the domestic markets in a wide array of shapes and sizes, with flat-sawn and quarter-sawn lumber being its in-demand variants. This type of hardwood is a bit more expensive than Red Oak, but it still falls within the moderately priced category of hardwoods. However, its thicker planks, as well as quarter-sawn boards, are pricier.

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Sustainability

It is not mentioned in the Cites Appendices or on the IUCN’s Red List.

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Common Uses

White oak is widely used in manufacturing cabins, furniture, boats, veneers, flooring, and interior trims, and it is also used in making barrels.

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