Compare woods
Put species head to head to decide between them.
White OakWhite Ash
| Property | White Oak Quercus alba | White Ash Fraxinus americana |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardwood | Hardwood |
| Cost | $$$ · Premium | $$ · Moderate |
| Hardness | 1350 lbf | 1320 lbf |
| Workability | Good | Good |
| Seasonal movement | Medium | Medium |
| Outdoor-friendly | Yes | No |
| Origin | Domestic (North America) | Domestic (North America) |
| Commonly built | Whiskey & wine barrels, Adirondack chairs, Mission-style furniture, Boat decks, Farmhouse tables | Baseball bats, Hammer & axe handles, Hockey sticks, Steam-bent chair backs, Canoe paddles |
| Overview | Red oak's tougher, water-resistant cousin. Closed cellular structure makes it the classic choice for anything that gets wet. | Strong, shock-resistant, and springy, the baseball-bat wood. Looks like oak but lighter in tone. Threatened by the emerald ash borer. |