White Oak
Botanical Name :
Quercus spp
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Where it Grows
Widespread throughout the Eastern U.S. The white oak group
comprises many species, of which about eight are commercial.
The trees prefer rich well drained soil, and average height
is 60 to 80 feet.
Main Uses
Furniture, flooring, architectural millwork, mouldings,
doors, kitchen cabinets, paneling, barrel staves (tight
cooperage) and caskets.
General Description
The sapwood is light-colored and the heartwood is light to
dark brown. White oak is mostly straight-grained with a
medium to coarse texture, with longer rays than red oak.
White oak therefore has more figure.
Working Properties
White oak machines well, nails and screws well although
pre-boring is advised. Since it reacts with iron, galvanized
nails are recommended. Its adhesive properties are variable,
but it stains to a good finish. Can be stained with a wide
range of finish tones. The wood dries slowly.
Physical Properties
A hard and heavy wood with medium bending and crushing
strength, low in stiffness, but very good in steam bending.
Great wear-resistance.
Availability
Readily available but not as abundant as red oak.
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