Common Names:   Arizona oak Arizona white oak Cucharillo Encino Encino negro Mamecillo Oak Roble Roble amarillo Roble colorado Roble encino Roblecito White oak Stave oak Purchase Oak White

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
Although it may be rare in some parts of its range, especially at the periphery, White oak is reported to be rather widespread, abundant, and secure globally (Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endangerment based primarily on the number of occurrences of the species globally ).

Distribution
The geographical distribution of the White oaks, which include White oak (Q. alba ), Chestnut oak (Q. prinus ), Chingkapin oak (Q. muehlenbergii ), Swamp chestnut oak (Q. michauxii ), Swamp white oak (Q. bicolor), Bur oak (Q. macrocarpa ), Post oak (Q. stellata ), California white oak (Q. lobata ), and Oregon white oak (Q. garryana ), in North America is reported to include Ontario, Quebec, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. It is usually found in pure stands and prefers moist, well-drained upland and lowland areas.

The so-called classic White oak (Q. alba ), is reported to grow from Maine to Texas in the United States.

Product Sources
Some material from this species is reported to be available from environmentally responsible sources. 

Although commercial white oak consists of several species in the white oak group, Q. alba is reported to be the primary and most important source of timber in the group. White oak veneers are reported to be plentiful, and supplies of lumber are also abundant. Price of lumber is reported to be moderate, compared to other hardwoods.

The following species in the database are reported to have strength properties that are superior to those of White oak:
Wacapou (Vouacapoua americana )
Courbaril (Hymanaea courbaril )
Aramatta (Diplotropis purpurea )
Tatajuba (Bagassa guianensis ) in the green condition
Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata )
Greenheart (Ocotea rodiaei )

Strength properties of the following species in the database are reported to be nearly similar or similar to those of White oak:
Determa (Ocotea rubra )
Pau amarello (Euxylophora paraensis )
Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum )
Pear (Pyrus communis )
Peroba rosa (Aspidosperma peroba )
Yellow sanders (Buchenavia capitata )
Nyolon (Pouteria izabalensis )

The following species in the database have been suggested as potential substitutes for Oak:
Movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus )
African pterygota (Pterygota bequaertii
P. macrocarpa )
Berlinia (Berlinia acuminata 
B. grandiflora )

Tree Data
The mature tree usually attains a height of 80 to 100 feet (34 to 30 m) and a diameter of 36 to 48 inche (90 to 120 cm). 

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is whitish to light brown in color, and is variable in width.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is variable in color, and ranges from light tan or pale yellow brown to pale or dark brown. The wood may also have a pinkish tinge. Variations in color and grain are reported to be considerable, but not as pronounced as in red oak.

Grain
The grain is described as open, with rays that are longer than those in red oak. There are occasional crotches, swirls and burls, and plainswan boards have plumed or flare-grained appearance. The grain pattern is tighter, and figuring is usually lower in riftsawn lumber. Quartersawn material often have a flake pattern which are sometimes referred to as tiger rays or butterflies.

Texture
The wood is medium to coarse textured.

Odor
There is no distinctive odor or taste.

Ease of Drying
The wood is difficult to dry. It dries rather slowly and requires care. 

Drying Defects
Drying defects that may occur in this species include end- and surface-checks, iron stains, ring failure, collapse, gray sapwood stain, and honeycomb. 

Kiln Schedules
Upland T4 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US
Lowland T2 - C1 (4/4) US

Movement in Service
Dimensional stability of seasoned timber is reported to be moderate, and the wood is reported to exhibit medium movement in use.

T/R Ratio
1.60
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
Heartwood resistance to decay is reported to be high in white oaks. Logs are reported to be susceptible to severe attack by ambrosia beetles, and standing trees and logs are also readily attacked by forest longhorn or Butrespid beetles.

Resistance to Impregnation
White oak heartwood is reported to have exceptionally poor response to treatment with preservatives. Sapwood has moderate resistance to impregnation. High natural resistance to decay allows the heartwood to be used outdoors without chemical protection.

Resistance to Abrasion
White oak timbers are reported to have exceptional resistance to wear which makes them highly suitable for applications such as flooring in heavy traffic areas.

Chemical Staining
Tannin in white oak is reported to react with iron and iron compounds in the presence of moisture to produce blue-black stains in the wood.

Effect on Metals
Metals used with white oak timber should be painted or galvanized to prevent corrosion. White oak is somewhat acidic and is reported to promote corrosion in iron and steel under damp conditions. Vapors from timber in the green condition may also corrode other metals, such as lead.

Veneering Qualities
Quartered veneers are often flake figured, while the very popular straight-line figure is a prominent feature in rift-cut veneer.

Blunting Effect
The wood has moderate blunting effect on cutting tools.

Cutting Resistance
Cutting resistance is reported to be generally medium but is variable. Cross-cutting and narrow-bandsawing are reported to be satisfactory.

Planing
Machining characteristics of white oak timbers are reported to vary with species and rate of growth. Softer timber from slow-growth trees are reported to be generally easier to work. Planing properties are rated as good, but a cutting angle of 20 degrees has been recommended. (Average number of pieces out of one hundred producing perfect planing results = 87).

Turning
Turning qualities are reported to be very good. (Percent of fair to excellent turned pieces = 85).

Moulding
The timber is reported to be difficult to mould. (Number of moulded pieces yielding good top excellent results out of one hundred = 35).

Boring
The timber responds well to ordinary tools to produce clean, bored holes. (Number of borings with good to excellent results out of one hundred = 95).

Mortising
Mortising qualities are reported to be very good. (Percent of morised pieces yielding fair to excellent results = 99).

Gluing
The wood has satisfactory gluing qualities.

Nailing
Pre-boring is recommended in nailing operations, since the wood is hard. (Number of nailed pieces free from complete splits out of one hundred = 69).

Screwing
Screwing qualities are reported to be good. (Percent of screwed pieces free from complete splits = 74).

Sanding
The material is reported to respond well to sanding operations. (Number of pieces out of one hundred producing good to excellent sanded surfaces = 83).

Staining
Reaction between tannins and liquid from some products, especially those with high water content such as bleach and water-based finishes, may turn the wood green or brown.

Steam Bending
White oak timbers are reported to have exceptional steam bending qualities, and defect free material is reported to bend to very small radius of curvature. Proper precautions should be taken to prevent chemical staining of steamed wood in contact with iron or steel. (Number of unbroken pieces out of one hundred = 91).

Response to Hand Tools
Timber from slow-growth white oak trees are reported to be softer and are easier to work with hand tools.

Strength Properties
White oak is reported to have medium bending and crushing strengths, with low stiffness, and its wear resistance is rated as outstanding. Working properties are reported to differ with the rate of growth of the tree: slow grown trees are reported to be easier to work with hand and machine tools. Faster growing southern trees are reported to produce harder timber than the slower growing Appalachian trees.