Oak is extremely hard and plentiful wood with a variety of grain choices and  color uniformity depending on how it is processed and sorted in the mill.  The wood grain pattern is very dependent on the cutting of the lumber, cross cut yields a flared tiger grain, rift cut yields straight grain and quarter sawn yields with a straight “chaffing” appearance popular for 100’s of years in Mission style furniture.  It has been used for centuries in making furniture, homes, offices, cabinets, barrels and such.  When sealed & stained properly is extremely durable.  Oak is slow to dry, but to avoid the Oak, or any hardwood (Excepting TEAK) from becoming to dry which will encourage the wood to become brittle, and have a tendency to crack or split,  hardwoods are sealed and finished with 3 to 7% moisture still in the wood, depending on the hardwood to avoid this problem.  However, extreme temperature changes can cause hardwoods to split as well.  Therefore care must be taken with very cold or hot items put directly on the wood.  The extreme temperature will cause the moisture in the wood to gravitate to that point.  If too much time passes without moving the item, once the moisture  reaches the sealer or finish on the wood, the moisture will cause tremendous pressure under the sealer or finish that will then pop the finish right off the wood, causing a “White Ring” or such.  Therefore always use coasters on any solid wood furniture, regardless of what a salesman tells you.  Nothing can stop the law of physics in this case, with any wood.  Oak furniture is the most popular wood of choice in America.  It has been for hundreds of years.  Oak, can accept stain finishes from very light to very dark and is one of the most affordable, versatile and beautiful hardwoods on earth.