Abstract: Method and apparatus for retaining a tapered flitch having a veneer-producing zone on a flitch table for rotating or translational movement past a veneer-slicing knife comprises stationary dog means coupled to a flitch-carrying body for engaging the flitch and means for engaging the flitch with the stationary dog means to hold the flitch on the flitch-carrying body. The flitch-carrying body may be part of a modular flitch table assembly. In the invention, the flitch is held on the flitch table with the veneer-producing zone in a parallel relation with the veneer-slicing knife so as to minimize the amount of waste veneer taken from the veneer-producing zone.