What are the ribbon like streaks in Oak?
Posted: December 8, 2025Author – Ryan Palma Owner/CEO Sustainable Lumber Co.
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What are the ribbon like streaks in Oak?
It’s called flecking.
What Is Flecking?
Flecking, also referred to as ray fleck or flake, is a distinctive decorative figure that appears in white oak when the lumber is quarter sawn, live sawn, or rift sawn. It is characterized by prominent, ribbon like streaks that run across the grain and reflect light, creating a three-dimensional shimmer highly valued in fine woodworking.
What Causes Flecking?
The pattern is produced by the tree’s medullary rays radial bands of cells that extend from the center of the tree outward to the bark. These rays transport water and nutrients horizontally through the trunk.
In plain sawn (flat sawn) lumber, the cutting direction runs largely parallel to the rays, so they remain hidden or appear only as small, indistinct spots. In quarter sawn lumber and, the log is cut along the radius, cutting the medullary rays at approximately 90 degrees. This exposes large sections of the rays on the face of the board, producing the characteristic flecked or ribbon stripe appearance.
Key Characteristics
- Appearance: Alternating light and dark streaks or ribbons, typically perpendicular to the vertical grain.
- Variation: The size, intensity, and distribution of flecking vary widely from board to board, even within the same log.
- Finish response: Clear or light colored finishes accentuate the figure; darker stains can reduce its prominence.
- Dimensional stability: Quarter sawn and live sawn white oak, which displays the strongest flecking, is more stable than plain sawn material and resists cupping, twisting, and splitting as moisture content changes.
Where Flecking Is Found
- Most pronounced in quarter sawn and live sawn white oak.
- Present, but straighter and more linear, in rift sawn white oak.
- Minimal or absent in plain sawn white oak.
Because of its aesthetic appeal and superior stability, quarter sawn and live sawn white oak with prominent ray fleck is widely specified for:
- Cabinetry and kitchen projects
- Architectural millwork and paneling
- High end furniture
- Hardwood flooring
- Traditional Craftsman, Mission, and contemporary designs
Industry Classification
According to NHLA (National Hardwood Lumber Association) grading rules, ray fleck is a natural characteristic of the species and is not considered a defect.
In summary, flecking is a naturally occurring feature that results from the interaction between the oak tree’s anatomy and the quarter sawing process. It adds distinctive visual depth and is one of the primary reasons quarter sawn and live sawn white oak remains a premium choice in architectural and design applications.
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