While it’s still considered an underdog to the highly popular white oak, red oak (Quercus rubra) remains in the game and has its share of fans, according to hardwood dealers interviewed by Woodshop News.
Figured birch, also known as curly or flame birch, can be a rare gem in the lumberyard, at least to some buyers who cherish its wavy pattern that resembles glistening ripples of water in bright sunlight.