Appearance
Color: Heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when freshly cut, turning brown or dark red-brown upon exposure.
Grain: Straight to interlocked or wavy; coarse texture.
Variations within species and grades: Moderate to high variation in color.

Properties
Hardness (Janka): 1925; 49% harder than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00158; 57% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.
Durability: Strength is comparable to hickory, but density is somewhat lower.