WHAT IS QUARTER-SAWN LUMBER?
Technically, quarter-sawn lumber has the growth rings of the tree approximately perpendicular to the board’s broad face. In contrast, plain-sawn lumber has the growth rings parallel to the board’s broad face. Quarter-sawn produces both quartered and rift lumber. HOW IS QUARTER-SAWN LUMBER ACHIEVED? There is only one true way to quarter saw a log. First, we cut a log into quarters. Each quarter is then processed by cutting a single board off of one face, then cutting the next board from the opposite face, and cutting from alternating faces until the quarter is completely cut. WHAT ARE THE AESTHETIC QUALITIES OF QUARTER-SAWN LUMBER? The most notable characteristic of quarter-sawn lumber lies in its incomparable grain patterns. Medullary ray fleck, wavy grain and interlocked grain are all visually enhanced when the log is quarter-sawn. The revival of Mission style furniture is just one example of how today’s artisans are rediscovering the unique beauty of quarter-sawn lumber. Today’s heir
