Red Oak Wood Species

Red Oak is one of the most abundant of our domestic hardwoods. Its moderate cost, strength, wearability and appealing grain characteristics make its use widespread. It is open-grained and in its plain sawn or sliced form expresses a very strong "Cathedral" type grain pattern. The heartwood is reddish tan to brown and very uniform in color. Its sapwood is lighter in color and minimal in volume making its elimination by selective cutting very easy. Red Oak is also available in rift sawn or sliced form which produces a very uniform straight grained effect. Less frequently it is quarter-sawn or sliced, still producing a straight grain but with the "flake" or the medullary ray accented. Some sacrifice in width and length availability occurs when producing either rift or quarter-sawn lumber.

Source:
"Guide to Wood Species", Copyright (C) 1977, Architectural Woodwork Institute.