This document defines and describes different types of wood grain that result from how wood is cut relative to the grain direction and growth rings. It explains plain grain is cut parallel to the grain, quarter grain is cut parallel to the grain but through the growth rings, and end grain is cut perpendicular across the grain. Additionally, it describes closed-grain wood with tight growth rings and open-grain wood with large visible pores. Figured grain is also discussed, which describes unusual patterns in grain like curly, quilted, and ribbon patterns caused by fungal growths or cell structures in certain wood species.

1. GRAINS OF WOOD

2. END GRAIN is what shows when you cut directly
across the log, board or block of wood. When you
cut a board across the grain (perpendicular to the
grain direction and the growth rings)
PLAIN GRAIN is what you get when wood is cut
parallel to the grain and the growth rings. (Also
called tangential or flat grain).
QUARTER GRAIN is achieved by cutting wood
parallel to the grain and across the growth rings.
Cut it parallel to the grain direction but through the
radius of the growth rings. ( also referred to as
radial grain).

3. CLOSED- OR FINE-GRAINED wood has growth rings
that are close together. They take stain well without
blotching. Those with smaller pores, to small to see
clearly.
OPEN GRAIN. Woods
with large pores that are
easily visible to the naked
eye
LONG GRAIN Both flat
grain and quarter grain

4. • FIGURED WOOD GRAIN
• Wood grain isn’t always straight and even. The
longitudinal and ray cells sometimes grow in unusual
patterns, many of which are strikingly beautiful. These
are known as figured grain.

5. • A few wood species, such as white oak, have especially
prominent rays. When quarter sawn, these produce silver
grain.*

6. Crotch figure, such as this walnut crotch, is cut from the part
of a tree where the trunk divides into smaller limbs and
branches

7. • Curly grain occurs when the longitudinal cells grow in
waves. This occurs in many species but is especially
striking in maple.

8. • Bird’s eyes like those in this maple are caused by small dimples
in the layers of cells. These are thought to be caused by a fungus
that affects the growth of the longitudinal cells.

9. • Larger dimples result in quilted figure, like the quilting in
this soft maple. This, too, is the result of a fungus

10. • The longitudinal cells of certain species, such as mahogany,
sometimes spiral around the trunk, reversing direction every
few growth rings. This creates ribbon figure.

11. • Bird’s eyes like those in this maple are caused by small dimples
in the layers of cells. These are thought to be caused by a fungus
that affects the growth of the longitudinal cells.

12. •
• Sometimes a tree produces a large growth on the side of the trunk or a
branch. The cells seem to swirl around each other inside these growths.
When sliced, these produce a burl figure such as this elm burl.

13. THANK YOU!