SPECIES

White Oak 

Quercus species, mainly Quercus alba

American White Oak is one of the most popular hardwood species for export from U.S. forests, unique to North America. White Oak is valued for its strength, workability, and versatility, making it ideal for various interior and exterior applications.

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4/4 S&B White Oak
4/4 S&B White Oak
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

White Oak’s sapwood is whitish to light brown, while the heartwood varies from light to dark brown. The difference between the sapwood and heartwood is less distinct compared to Red Oak.

 

The wood has a straight grain with a medium to coarse texture. Medullary rays are prominent in White Oak, producing a pronounced figure, making it a preferred choice for visual appeal. Its non-porous heartwood is ideal for wine barrels and outdoor use.

WORKABILITY

White Oak machines well and performs effectively when nailed or screwed, though pre-boring is recommended. It glues and finishes well, with the heartwood being resistant to decay. Due to its high shrinkage, careful drying is required to prevent movement in humid conditions.

COMMON USES
  • Bourbon & Whiskey Barrels
  • Furniture
  • Flooring
  • Doors
  • Cabinets
  • Mouldings
  • Glulam beams
GRADE OPTIONS

Clarity for all applications

Our White Oak comes in a variety of different grades. See below for images of our average pack of White Oak in the core three grades we offer. 

Select & Better
WOSB499-02
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 1 Top Face
WOSB499-01
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 1 Back Face
WOSB499-03
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 2 Top Face
WOSB499-04
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 2 Back Face
WOSB499-05
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 3 Top Face
WOSB499-06
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 3 Back Face
WOSB499-07
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 4 Top Face
WOSB499-08
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 4 Back Face
WOSB499-09
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 5 Top Face
WOSB499-10
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 5 Back Face
WOSB499-11
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 6 Top Face
WOSB499-12
4/4 SB White Oak 
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 4 in

Min. Length: 6 ft

Min. Clarity: 83.33% 

1 Common
WO1C499-01
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 1 Top Face
WO1C499-02
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 1 Back Face
WO1C499-03
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 2 Top Face
WO1C499-04
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 2 Back Face
WO1C499-05
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 3 Top Face
WO1C499-06
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 3 Back Face
WO1C499-07
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 4 Top Face
WO1C499-08
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 4 Back Face
WO1C499-09
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 5 Top Face
WO1C499-10
4/4 1C White Oak 
Layer 5 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 3 in

Min. Length: 4 ft

Min. Clarity: 66.66% 

2 Common
WO2C499-01
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 1 Top Face
WO2C499-02
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 1 Back Face
WO2C499-03
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 2 Top Face
WO2C499-04
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 2 Back Face
WO2C499-05
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 3 Top Face
WO2C499-06
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 3 Back Face
WO2C499-07
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 4 Top Face
WO2C499-08
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 4 Back Face
WO2C499-09
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 5 Top Face
WO2C499-10
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 5 Back Face
WO2C499-11
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 6 Top Face
WO2C499-12
4/4 2C White Oak 
Layer 6 Back Face

Specs

Min. Width: 3 in

Min. Length: 4 ft

Min. Clarity: 50% 

All White Oak Products We Offer

Grades Lengths (ft) Thicknesses (inches) Color or Characteristic Sorts
Select & Better (S&B) 8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4*, 12/4*

 UNS, Rustic*, Rift & Qtrd*
1 Common (1C) 4-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4*, 12/4*

 UNS, Rustic*, Rift & Qtrd*
2 Common (2C) 4-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16*

4/4, 5/4, 6/4, 8/4, 10/4*, 12/4*

 UNS, Rustic*, Rift & Qtrd*

*Available upon request only

regional map - w names

Sourcing Regions

White Oak typically grows throughout the eastern side of the United States. 

We typically source our White Oak from the   Northern,  Appalachian, and  Northeastern  regions of the US.

The American Hardwood Export Council has an excellent interactive map that can show you where different species grow in the US.

Click the link below and select the species "American White Oak" to see a map of how much of the US forest volume is White Oak. 

CHECK OUT THE MAP

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Additional Resources

EBOOK

Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods

This publication combines AHEC’s guide to species and the guide to lumber grades in to a single illustrated and comprehensive guide to sustainable American hardwoods. The front half of the publication gives a full break down of the properties, applications, environmental credentials of the commercially available U.S. hardwood species. The back gives a simplified explanation of the NHLA grading system, which is the national standard for the U.S. hardwood lumber industry and forms the basis for export grading.

VIEW EBOOK
Guide to Sustainable American Hardwoods
GUIDE

American White Oak - AHEC Species Guide

Discover detailed info on material availability, mechanical properties, and more on the American Hardwood Export Council website. 

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