Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
Hi Jack

Could it be Oregon Pine? That has a pinkish hue.

Anyway what I did with a similar table at home will raise the eyebrows of some purists, but I have never regretted the decision.

We have a Yellowwood diningroom table. This is quite a soft wood. It is very old, about 200 years, and was poorly restored by the person from whom we bought it (he belt sanded the top). Just using wax was not going to cut it. So I used a polyurethane varnish. Cut it back with 0000 steel wool until it was just an invisible, matt surface. Many cannot even tell there is a finish. It's been like this for 15 years, and has lasted wonderfully.

Regards from Perth

Derek