It’s all about aesthetic beauty which comes in the form of medullary ray or what we call “figuring”. During the growth phase of the tree the purpose of medullary ray is to transport nutrition between the core of the trunk and the outer parts. The medullary rays are almost an unnoticeable colour in some other wood species. They radiate from the centre of the oak log to the bark, and when the log is quarter sawn, the rays are cut at a very low angle which reveals more of their surface than if the log was slabbed off which in turn increases the chance to getting the famous medullary ray flecks.

There are also some attractive structural benefits to quarter sawn oak. It is about 50% more stable than plain sawn which results in significantly reduced expansion, contraction, twisting, warping and cupping, it holds finishes better and it does not allow liquids to readily pass through it.