Defects in Timber

DEFECTS IN TIMBER
Defects in timber are any irregularities appearing on timber that may reduce the strength and
quality.
Classes of defects
There are two classes of defects. These are; the natural and the artificial defects. Natural
defects occur during the growth of the tree, features such as knots, shakes and growth
irregularities while artificial defects occur during seasoning of timber.
Natural defects
The following are some of the natural defect:
1. Knots
Knots are the remains of branches that are cut through during conversion of timber.
Types of knots
There are two types of knots; the live knot and the dead knot.
The live knot is strong having its grain intergrown with the surrounding wood thereby
making it difficult for it to come out of its socket.
The dead knot is sometimes referred to as loose knot. This may be loose or decayed.
LOCATION OF KNOTS
N/B. The splay knot is obtained when the branch of the tree is cut (sawn) lengthwise and it is
usually elongated in shape.
2. Shakes
Shakes are partial or complete splits between the adjoining layers of timber.
i. Heart shake
These are cracks or splits that occur from the pith of the log following the medullary
rays. They are caused by leaving timber in a log form for a long time before
conversion.
 Also caused by poor felling

 Caused by strong impact of the tree
with the ground
When felling
 Caused by the effect of strong winds
during growth
ii. Star shake

It is similar to the heart shake except that splits are more than two taking the form of
the star. It is a number of heart shakes in form of a star
 It is caused by the action of strong wind during the tree’s
growth
 Caused by poor felling methods.
 Caused by leaving timber in log form for a long time before
conversion
Prevention
 Practice good felling methods
 Timber must converted as soon as possible after felling
of the tree
iii. Radial shake

These are splits extending from the outside of the log inwards along the path of
medullary rays.
 Caused by leaving timber in log form for a long time before conversion
 Caused by uneven shrinkage on the ends of the log
Prevention
 Convert timber immediately after felling of the tree
iv. Ring or cup shakes

These are splits following the annual rings. They are caused by the shake sustained by
the tree when it is felled also by strong winds that strain the tree as it is growing.
Prevention:
 Quick conversion of
Timber
 Practice good felling
methods
ARTIFICIAL DEFECTS
These are defects that occur during seasoning of timber. The following are some of the
artificial defects:
i. Case-hardening
a. It is the situation whereby the outer part of timber dries faster than the inner
part. It is caused during kiln seasoning. If this situation continues, it results
into the defect known as Honey comb.
Prevention of case hardening

-Ensure good seasoning techniques
-Provide appropriate drying conditions in the kiln at a
right time
ii. Honey comb a s a result of case hardening pockets of holes form after the traped
water in them dry out thereby causing the honey comb defects
iii. End check

a. It is a split at the end of timber or log
-It is caused by rapid drying of the board at the ends
-It is also by poor conversion
Prevention
-Apply good methods of timber conversion
-Ensure good seasoning of timber

iv. Thunder check

a. It is a crack across a piece of timber. It is caused during felling of timber
v. Warney edge
a. It is a defect that is formed during conversion of timber. It is the piece of wood
which has retained its bark on it.
vi. Collapse
a. It is the flattening of the cells during seasoning. Showing uneven shrinkage on

the surface of the timber.
vii. Bowing
a. It is a curvature along the grain of wood. It is caused by pacing stickers too far
apart during seasoning. Also caused by rapid drying of timber at the middle of
the board than
at its ends
Prevention:
 Ensure timber of the same species and size seasoned at one time.
 Always ensure correct spacing of the pilling sticks within the stack
viii. Cupping
a. It is a curvature across the grains of wood caused by shrinkage and bad staking
during seasoning.
Prevention
 Ensure good and quality seasoning of
timber
 Ensure seasoning timber of the same
Specie and siz
ix. Spring
a. It is a curvature along the edge of the piece of timber. But across the grains.
-Caused by rapid drying of one edge than the other as

well as uneven
Conversions of timber.
x. Twisting
a. It is the twist along the length of board. It may be the result of the board being
weighed down during seasoning.

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DEFECTS IN TIMBER

 Also caused by poor felling

ii. Star shake

iii. Radial shake

iv. Ring or cup shakes

Prevention of case hardening

iii. End check

iv. Thunder check

a. It is the flattening of the cells during seasoning. Showing uneven shrinkage on

Specie and siz

-Caused by rapid drying of one edge than the other as

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