Color: At first, red-brown or purple-brown with light yellow-brown or purple streaks; after exposure, uniform light brown or yellow-brown.

Grain: Fine texture, interlocked, waxy or oily feel.

Species & Grade Variations: Dramatic shading that mellows as the floor matures.

Hardness (Janka): 3540 (174% harder than Northern red oak).

Dimensional Stability: Average (7.6; 12% more stable than red oak).

Sawing/Machining: Works well, but is very hard—use carbide blades and bits.

Sanding: Difficult. Scratches are easily seen—each sanding must carefully remove the scratches from the previous cut, or sanding marks will be visible in the finish.

Suggested Sequence:

• First Cut: 50 at a 7-15 degree angle with the grain
• Second Cut: 60 or 80 straight with the grain
• Third Cut: 100
• Hard Plate: 100
• First Screen: 80
• Second Screen: 100 or 120

Nailing: Pre-drilling and hand-nailing are preferred.

Finishing: Test all products before using them on the actual job site. Oil-modified finishes may not dry when applied over this wood if standard procedures are followed. Moisture-cure urethane, conversion varnish and waterborne finishes are generally more successful with this species.

Comments: Has been known to cause contact dermatitis.