American White Oak

Quercus alba

Also known as: White Oak

Appearance

American White Oak heartwood is light to medium brown, sometimes with an olive cast. The grain is straight with a coarse, uneven texture and prominent rays that produce an attractive fleck pattern on quarter-sawn surfaces. It has a warm, classic character that has made it one of the most popular hardwoods worldwide.

Workability

American White Oak machines well with sharp tooling. It takes stain excellently, allowing a wide range of finishes from natural to dark. It glues, nails, and screws satisfactorily with pre-drilling. Steam-bends very well. One of the most versatile and widely used hardwoods in the world.

Common Uses