Color: Heartwood is light brown; some boards may have a pinkish tint or a slight grayish cast. Sapwood is white to cream.

Grain: Open, with longer rays than red oak. Occasional crotches, swirls and burls. Plan sawn boards have a plumed or flared grain appearance; rift sawn has a tighter grain pattern, low figuring; quarter sawn has a flake pattern, sometimes called tiger rays or butterflies.

Variations Within Species & Grades: Considerable variations among boards in color and grain texture, but variations not as pronounced as in red oak.

Hardness/Janka: 1360; 5% harder than Northern Red Oak.

Durability: More durable than red oak. Tannic acid in the wood protects it from fungi and insects.

Sawing/Machining: Excellent machining qualities.

Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.

Nailing: Good resistance to splitting; excellent holding ability.

Finishing: Absorbs finishes more evenly than red oak. Does not bleach well.