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Air Check
This example shows a piece of red oak with air check or
surface check. This type of checking occurs in the early
drying stages if too much moisture is removed from the
outer portion of the lumber before the inner portion has
had a chance to lose moisture and shrink. |
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| Air Check |
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Honeycomb
Although not a natural characteristic, honeycomb is common
in the industry. This example shows end grain and lumber
ripped in half to expose the severe interior honey comb.
This occurs when kiln temperatures are raised before the
lumber core moisture has been lowered sufficiently. |
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| Honeycomb |
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Splitting or Cracking
Splitting or cracking can occur in any species. Shown
here in red oak, it can be minimized by proper end coating
of the logs or lumber before they have an opportunity
to dry. |
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| Splitting or Cracking |
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Shake
Shake (sometimes called ring shake or wind shake) is pictured
here in red oak. The flatsawn portion shows typical shake
and the end grain portion shows the ring failure. Shake
can be caused by bacteria that infect the living trees.
The bacteria, which has a vinegar or rancid smell before
drying, weakens the area between the growth rings and
my cause shake in apparently sound lumber. |
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| Shake |
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