Plain-sawed and Quarter-sawed Lumber

There are three methods used in producing lumber from logs so as to obtain economical utilization or develop the beautiful grains and figures found in the various kinds of trees, namely:
(a) Plain-sawed - When the log is sawed lengthwise and tangent to the annual growth rings or at right angles to the medullary rays the cut is called "plain-sawed" lumber in hardwoods and "flat-grain" or "slash-grain" lumber in softwoods. This is the most economical manner of producing lumber with the least waste. Also in many trees such as ash, chestnut, elm, and most softwoods ( conifers) the plain-sawed method shows the best grain and figure in the wood.

(b) Quarter-sawed - When the log is sawed parallel to the radius or rays, across the rings from the bark to the center, the cut is called "quarter-sawed" in hardwoods and "edge-grain," "vertical-grain" or "rift-sawed" lumber in softwoods. Some species have very prominent medullary rays which accounts for the beautiful figure shown in such quarter-sawed woods as oak, maple, and sycamore.

( c) Veneers - (need edit)