Properties of Oak

• Oak is the most widely used hardwood. 
• There are more than 60 species of oak grown in the U.S., which can be separated into two basic varieties
•  white
• red. 
• The red variety is also known as black oak (a reference to its bark).

Properties: 

• Oak is a heavy, strong, light colored hardwood. 
• It is ring porous, due to the fact that more and larger conductive vessels are laid down early in the summer, rather than later. 
• Prominent rings and large pores give oak a course texture and prominent grain. 
• Oak also has conspicuous medullary rays which can be seen as "flakes" in quarter sawed oak lumber.

Uses:

•  Oak is the most popular wood used to craft American and English country designs. 
• It is also used for Gothic and William & Mary reproductions, as well as many transitional and contemporary pieces.