There are several kinds of oak imported from America.

American oak is characterised by the red tinge of colour in it. This is sometimes very marked. In a lesser degree it is noticeable for its straight grain.

All oak, and especially English, is difficult to work, and planes should always be kept in particularly good order when required to work in oak. The wood should be left smooth from the plane, subsequent scraping or glass-papering being very injurious to the appearance of the surface.

Oak can be highly polished, and it holds glue very well.

Sometimes new oak is darkened down to the colour of age by the application of a solution of ammonia.