A beautiful figure in timber, these radial ribbons running outwards from the centre of a tree act like veins, carrying minerals, nutrients and storing water. Not only are they vital for the tree’s health, but they also are a beautiful quality to finished timber.
Also known as pith rays, vascular rays and more popularly in oak (where they are the most noticeable) tiger stripes.
But what a lot of people don’t realise, is that all trees have these rays, it’s just that in most species they are too small to see with the naked eye.
There are a few species that also have beautiful displays when quartersawn. A favourite of mine is beech, which can have small flecks that catch the light like a shoal of silver fish.
Since the 1800s, medullary rays have been a sign of prestige as only timber that has been cut perpendicular to the growth rings will truly display this, and only a small number of quartersawn boards can be cut from a log.
I believe this is why today oak has its (in my view, over rated) high demand in internal furniture.
So, from the points of view of a tree’s health, considered milling, and premium timber, Medullary rays are far from dull.
