Quercus alba, spp. White oak, like Red Oak, grows broadly across the eastern half of the United States. Although in smaller quantities than Red Oak, White Oak is a ring porous species with a characteristic strong grain and rays that are more pronounced and longer than those in the Red Oaks. The heartwood is light to medium tan; the sapwood is slightly contrasting creamy-white.
White Oak typically grows more slowly when compared to Red Oak, and produces lumber with a "softer" grain pattern. The pores in the heartwood are impervious to liquid, making White Oak suitable for cooperage.
Use:
Furniture, cabinets, cooperage, windows and exterior doors, interior decoration including flooring,
mouldings, and wall/ceiling paneling.
Availability:
Generally available in thicknesses 4/4 through 8/4.
10/4 and thicker available in more limited quantities.
Price:
Moderate to valuable.
Relative Working Properties:
| Machining | Resistance to Splitting in Nailing |
Resistance to Splitting in Screwing |
Gluing |
| Excellent | Good | Excellent | Good |
Physical Properties:
| Specific Gravity (12% M.C.) | Average Shipping Weight kilograms (kg) per cubic metre (m3) Air Dry | Average Volumetric Shrinkage (oven dry % of Green) | Modulus of Rupture (Kilopascals) | Modulus of Elasticity (Megapascals) | Side Hardness (Newtons) |
| 0.68 | 640 | 15.5* | 105,000 | 12,300 | 6,000 |