White Oak

Widespread throughout Eastern U. S. The white oak group comprises many species, of which about eight are commercial.

American White Oak is similar in colour and appearance to European Oak. Sapwood is light coloured and the heartwood is light to darkbrown. White Oak is mostly straight grained witha medium to coarse texture, with longer rays than Red Oak. White Oak therefore has more figure.

Readily available but not as abundant as red oak. 

White Oak machines well, and nails and screws well, although pre-boring is advised. It also turns, carves and bends well. Its adhesive properties are variable, but it sands, stains and polishes to a good finish. The wood dries slowly and care is needed to avoid checking. Due to its high shrinkage, it can be susceptible to movement in performance. 

It is hard and heavy wood with medium bending and crushing strength. White Oak is low in stiffness but very good in steam bending. 

Construction, furniture, flooring, architectural joinery, exterior joinery, mouldings, doors, kitchen cabinets, paneling, railway sleepers, timberbridges, barrel staves, coffins and caskets. White Oak can vary in colour, texture, characteristics and properties according to the growing region.