Tiger stripe effect -- what causes it?

What causes tiger stripe in wood? July 3, 2001

Question
How does tiger stripe occur in wood?

Forum Responses
Tiger stripe comes when the tree develops wavy grain. It may be the result of a viral infection in some cases. In other cases, it is genetic.

Gene Wengert, forum technical advisor

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Tiger stripe sometimes happens when a tree grows in soil that has minerals concentrated in an area of the root system, feeding part or all of the tree and affecting its color. This is called 'mineral runs' around here, in redwood.