Category: Glossary of Terms -S

Separations of wood fiber running parallel to the grain.

An attractive dark brown or black stain in some woods caused by decay. A change in the texture, strength and color of wood caused by colonies of fungus growing within the dead wood.

A defect that’s caused by a fungus living in a tree, which appears as small white pits of spots.

The ratio of the weight of wood to an equal volume of water. The higher the specific gravity, the heavier the wood.

Adhesion between surfaces that are held together by valence forces of the same type as those that give rise to cohesion.

A category of biological classification; a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name. “Species” is always properly used with the “s” when referring to trees or other biological classifications.

Wood that is free from defect.

A term referring to a board which has no or very few defects which will effect its strength.

A small wood particle of indefinite dimensions developed incidental to certain woodworking operations involving rotary cutter heads usually turning in the direction of the grain.

Shakes are very similar to checks, but usually wider and longer. They generally work from the heart of the tree outward, at right angles rather than parallel to the growth rings.