Are those white markings in my oak furniture normal?

Yes, they are! These mysterious marks are called “Medullary rays”. They are completely natural and add a rich character and beauty to your oak piece.

oak-heart-showing-pith-marks-

Medullary rays, also called Pith rays or Tiger masks, can often be mistaken for damaged, repaired or watermarked wood. But this could not be more further from the truth. These beautiful features are completely natural and show that your piece has been crafted from the finest and most expensive quarter sawn oak.

These marks are caused by sap moving through the wood, perpendicular to the rings as nutrition. It is then transported from it’s core to the outer areas leaving silver or gold ribbons. This is an important part of the tree’s growing process!

Oak is such a beautiful material…  

There are so many reasons why oak furniture has always been a popular choice, apart from creating a warm homely feel to your interior.

Oak is a very dense and a hard wood.

The benefits are:

  • Does not scratch easily
  • Stains & polishes well
  • Attractive woodgrain
  • Sturdy and heavy
  • Suits all interiors, old & new

So there you have it… Next time you gaze at your piece of furniture just remember that those silver sparks of light along its surface are an indication that for many years, it was a gracious living tree. And spare a thought for the many hours of time-consuming labour and most certainly, the love that has gone into it.

Here are some tips to keep your furniture in tip-top condition.

Posted in Wood Details