An investigation was conducted to provide information concerning the flexural behavior of oak pallet shook. This information is to be used in the development of a rational pallet design procedure. The investigation was designed to meet three basic objectives 1) to collect basic data concerning the flexural properties of oak shook, 2) to evaluate the potential of a visual grading system and 3) to investigate the impact of growth and manufacturing defects on the flexural properties of oak pallet shook. Strength, stiffness and selected physical property values were determined and reported. The visual grading system was found to be effective at separating oak pallet shook on the basis of strength and stiffness. A comparison of test results with published procedures indicates strength ratios may be an effective approach to accounting for the influence of growth and manufacturing defects found in oak pallet shook. / M.A.