Oak, white

Botanical name: Quercus alba, Q. prinus, Q. stellata, Q. lyrata, Q. michauxii, Q. macrocarpa, Q. muehlenbergii, Q. bicolor, Q. garryana

Other names: US: white oak, chestnut oak, post o., overcup o., swamp chestnut o., bur o., chinkapin o., swamp white o., Oregon white o. UK: American white oak FR: chêne blanc d'Amerique DE: Amerikanische Weisseiche VL/NL: wit Amerikaans eiken

The sapwood of the white oaks is nearly white and roughly 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in.) wide. The heartwood is generally grayish brown. Heartwood pores are usually plugged with tyloses, which tend to make the wood impenetrable to liquids. Consequently, most white oaks are suitable for tight cooperage, although many heartwood pores of chestnut oak lack tyloses. The wood of white oak is somewhat heavier than the wood of red oak. Its heartwood has good decay resistance.

White oaks are usually cut into lumber, railroad crossties, cooperage, mine timbers, fence posts, veneer, fuelwood, and many other products. High-quality white oak is especially sought for tight cooperage. An important use of white oak is for planking and bent parts of ships and boats; heartwood is often specified because of its decay resistance. White oak is also used for furniture, flooring, pallets, agricultural implements, railroad cars, truck floors, furniture, doors, and millwork.