{"id":48,"date":"2008-12-12T12:10:22","date_gmt":"2008-12-12T18:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wood-database.com\/?p=48"},"modified":"2025-08-13T00:37:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T05:37:09","slug":"white-oak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wood-database.com\/white-oak\/","title":{"rendered":"White Oak"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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<\/i><\/a> > Hardwoods<\/a> > Fagaceae<\/a> > Quercus <\/i><\/a>><\/strong> alba<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tDATA SOURCE(S):<\/a> 2,3,43<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"\"<\/a>
White oak (Quercus alba)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Common Name(s):<\/strong><\/a> White oak, American white oak<\/p>\n

Scientific Name:<\/strong><\/a> Quercus alba<\/i><\/p>\n

Distribution:<\/strong><\/a> Eastern United States<\/p>\n

Tree Size:<\/strong><\/a> 65\u201385 ft (20\u201325 m)<\/span> tall,
                     3\u20134 ft (1\u20131.2 m)<\/span> trunk diameter<\/p>\n

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC):<\/strong>SPECIFIC GRAVITY<\/b>
Specific gravity is the ratio of a wood\u2019s density to water (with water being 1.00). Two values are provided: basic SG (oven-dry weight & green volume) and SG at 12% MC (weight & volume at 12% moisture content).

Click on the link “Specific Gravity” for more details.<\/span><\/a> 0.6, 0.75<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Average Dried Weight:<\/strong>AVERAGE DRIED WEIGHT<\/b>
\nDensity is the measurement of a wood\u2019s weight per unit volume. Here, \"dried weight\" specifically refers to wood at 12% moisture content, and values are given in pounds per cubic foot and kilograms per cubic meter. Also keep in mind that density commonly varies by +\/- 10% from the average.
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\nClick on the link \"Average Dried Weight\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 47.0 lbs\/ft3<\/sup> (755 kg\/m3<\/sup>)<\/span> Medium WEIGHT TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>     0+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nVery Low:<\/b>   420+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nLow:<\/b>   520+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nMedium-Low:<\/b>   620+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nMedium:<\/b>   730+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nMedium-High:<\/b>   840+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nHigh:<\/b>   960+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nVery High:<\/b> 1,080+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 1,200+ kg\/m3<\/sup>
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on CSIRO provisional strength groupings (SD1-SD8) based on density.<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Janka Hardness:<\/strong>JANKA HARDNESS<\/b>
\nThis test measures a wood\u2019s resistance to indentation, and is the pounds of force (or Newtons) required to embed a .444\" (11.28 mm) diameter steel ball halfway into the wood. Values are for side grain, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Janka Hardness\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 1,350 lbf<\/sub> (5,990 N)<\/span> Medium-Low JANKA HARDNESS TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>      0+ N
\nVery Low:<\/b>  2,050+ N
\nLow:<\/b>  3,150+ N
\nMedium-Low:<\/b>  4,480+ N
\nMedium:<\/b>  6,280+ N
\nMedium-High:<\/b>  8,380+ N
\nHigh:<\/b> 11,080+ N
\nVery High:<\/b> 14,000+ N
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 17,450+ N
\n<\/span> Tiers are derived from CSIRO provisional strength classifications (SD1-SD8) in conjunction with the USDA's estimated hardness based on density.<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Modulus of Rupture:<\/strong>MODULUS OF RUPTURE<\/b>
\nSometimes called bending strength, this test measures a wood\u2019s strength before breaking (i.e., rupturing). Values are given in pounds of force per square inch and megapascals, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Modulus of Rupture\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 14,830 lbf<\/sub>\/in2<\/sup> (102.3 MPa)<\/span> Medium-High MOR TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>   0+ MPa
\nVery Low:<\/b>  45+ MPa
\nLow:<\/b>  55+ MPa
\nMedium-Low:<\/b>  65+ MPa
\nMedium:<\/b>  78+ MPa
\nMedium-High:<\/b>  94+ MPa
\nHigh:<\/b> 110+ MPa
\nVery High:<\/b> 130+ MPa
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 150+ MPa
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on CSIRO strength classifications (SD1-SD8).<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Elastic Modulus:<\/strong>MODULUS OF ELASTICITY<\/b>
\nThis test measures the wood\u2019s level of deformation when under a given load. Higher values indicate less deformation (i.e., stiffer). Values are given in pounds of force per square inch and gigapascals, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Elastic Modulus\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 1,762,000 lbf<\/sub>\/in2<\/sup> (12.15 GPa)<\/span> Medium-Low MOE TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>    0+ GPa
\nVery Low:<\/b>  7.9+ GPa
\nLow:<\/b>  9.1+ GPa
\nMedium-Low:<\/b> 10.5+ GPa
\nMedium:<\/b> 12.5+ GPa
\nMedium-High:<\/b> 14.0+ GPa
\nHigh:<\/b> 16.0+ GPa
\nVery High:<\/b> 18.5+ GPa
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 21.5+ GPa
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on CSIRO strength classifications (SD1-SD8).<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Crushing Strength:<\/strong>CRUSHING STRENGTH<\/b>
\nAlso called compression strength, this test measures the maximum stress sustained before failure. Force is applied parallel<\/i> to the grain (producing stress akin to chair legs). Values are given in pounds of force per square inch and megapascals, measured at 12% MC.
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\nClick on the link \"Crushing Strength\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> 7,370 lbf<\/sub>\/in2<\/sup> (50.8 MPa)<\/span> Medium CRUSHING STRENGTH TIERS<\/b>
\nExtremely Low:<\/b>  0+ MPa
\nVery Low:<\/b> 30+ MPa
\nLow:<\/b> 36+ MPa
\nMedium-Low:<\/b> 41+ MPa
\nMedium:<\/b> 47+ MPa
\nMedium-High:<\/b> 54+ MPa
\nHigh:<\/b> 61+ MPa
\nVery High:<\/b> 70+ MPa
\nExtremely High:<\/b> 80+ MPa
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on CSIRO strength classifications (SD1-SD8).<\/i> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Shrinkage:<\/strong>SHRINKAGE<\/b>
\nThese values represent the percentage change in radial and tangential faces of the wood\u2014as well as the total (volumetric) shrinkage\u2014as the moisture content goes from green (maximum) down to oven-dry (minimum), approximating the wood's stability with changes in humidity. T\/R ratio helps to estimate the uniformity of the shrinkage across different wood faces.
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\nClick on the link \"Shrinkage\" for more details.<\/span><\/a> Radial: 5.6%, Tangential: 10.5%<\/span> Very High SHRINKAGE TIERS<\/b>
\n Very Low:<\/b>   0%+   
\nLow:<\/b> 3.6%+   
\nMedium:<\/b> 5.1%+   
\nHigh:<\/b> 6.6%+   
\nVery High:<\/b> 8.1%+   
\n<\/span> Tiers are based on tangential shrinkage (green to oven-dry) from CSIRO shrinkage classifications (1-5).<\/i> <\/span> <\/span>\n
                          Volumetric: 16.3%, T\/R Ratio: 1.9<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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 <\/i>Identification<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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IUCN Status:<\/b><\/a>
Least Concern<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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CITES Status:<\/b><\/a>
Unlisted<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Color\/Appearance:<\/strong><\/a> Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast. Paler sapwood is not always sharply demarcated from the heartwood. Quartersawn sections display prominent ray fleck patterns (see images<\/a> below). Red oak (Quercus rubra)<\/em><\/a> tends to have a slightly redder cast (as opposed to olive), but color alone isn’t always a reliable method of determining the type of oak.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Grain\/Texture:<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0Grain is straight, with a coarse, uneven texture.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Rot Resistance:<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0Rated as very durable; frequently used in boatbuilding and tight cooperage applications.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Workability:<\/strong><\/a> Produces good results with hand and machine tools, though it has fairly high shrinkage values, resulting in mediocre dimensional stability, especially in flat sawn boards. Along with the related\u00a0red oak (Quercus rubra),<\/em><\/a> white oak scored near the very top in an assessment of the machinability of domestic hardwoods<\/a>. The wood can react with iron (particularly when wet) and cause staining and discoloration. Responds well to steam-bending. Glues, stains, and finishes well.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Odor:<\/a> <\/strong>Has a distinct smell while being worked that is common to most oaks. Most find it appealing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Allergies\/Toxicity:<\/strong><\/a> Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, oak has been reported as a sensitizer.<\/a> Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation, as well as asthma-like symptoms. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity<\/a> and Wood Dust Safety<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Pricing\/Availability:<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0Abundant availability in a good range of widths and thicknesses, both as flatsawn and quartersawn lumber. Usually slightly more expensive than red oak, prices are moderate for a domestic hardwood, though thicker planks or quartersawn boards are more expensive.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Sustainability:<\/strong><\/a> This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Common Uses:<\/strong><\/span> Cabinetry, furniture, interior trim, flooring, boatbuilding, barrels, and veneer.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Comments:<\/strong><\/span> Strong, beautiful, rot-resistant, easy to work, and economical: white oak represents an exceptional value to woodworkers. It\u2019s no wonder that the wood is so widely used in cabinet and furniture making.<\/p>\n

In addition to the wood, white oak is also the state tree for three states<\/a> (Connecticut, Illinois, and Maryland). Indeed, Connecticut\u2019s state quarter (1999) was minted with a picture and inscription of a famous white oak,<\/a> the Charter Oak. In 1687, a cavity within the tree was used as a hiding place for the Connecticut Charter of 1662 to prevent its confiscation by the British.[1]<\/sup><\/a>Corrigan, D. (2020, October 31). Hiding the Charter: Images of Joseph Wadsworth\u2019s Legendary Action. Connecticut … Continue reading<\/span><\/span><\/span>