- Board Foot
- A standard unit of measure for lumber equal to 144 cubic inches (12″ × 12″ × 1″). Board feet are used to calculate lumber volume, pricing, and yield in sawmills and construction.
- Buck
- To cut a felled tree into usable log lengths, typically sized to meet mill or market requirements.
- Butt Log
- The lowest section of a tree trunk, usually the largest and most valuable. Butt logs often produce higher-quality lumber due to straighter grain and fewer defects.
- Casehardening
- A drying defect where the outer surface of wood dries faster than the interior, trapping internal stress. This can cause warping, splitting, or cracking if not properly managed.
- Cant
- A log that has been squared on one or more sides in preparation for milling into boards or dimensional lumber.
- Clearcut
- A harvesting method that removes all trees from a defined area in a single operation. While efficient, it can impact soil, habitat, and regeneration if not followed by responsible reforestation.
- Deciduous
- Trees that shed their leaves annually, such as oak, maple, and beech. Most hardwood lumber comes from deciduous species.
- Delimber
- A machine used to remove branches from felled trees before logs are transported or processed.
- Ecosystem Services
- The natural benefits forests provide, including carbon storage, water filtration, air quality improvement, and wildlife habitat.
- Form Class
- A measure of a tree’s trunk shape and taper, used to estimate how much usable lumber a tree can produce.
- Forest Certification
- A system of independent auditing that verifies forests are managed responsibly according to environmental, social, and economic standards.
- Grade
- A classification describing lumber quality based on defects, grain, and appearance. Common hardwood grades include FAS, #1 Common, and #2 Common.
- Harvesting Method
- The approach used to remove trees from a forest, such as selective cutting, shelterwood, or clearcutting.
- Heartwood
- The dense, inner portion of a tree trunk. Heartwood is typically darker and more resistant to decay than sapwood.
- Knots
- Areas in wood where branches once grew. Knots can affect both strength and appearance.
- Live Edge
- Lumber or slabs that retain the natural edge of the tree, often used for furniture, tables, and countertops.
- Log Scaling
- The process of measuring a log’s volume to estimate yield and value, using rules such as Doyle, Scribner, or International.
- Moisture Content
- The percentage of water contained in wood relative to its dry weight. Moisture content affects strength, weight, and dimensional stability.
- Quarter Sawn
- A sawing method where boards are cut perpendicular to growth rings, producing straighter grain and improved stability.
- Rough Sawn
- Lumber that has been cut to thickness but not planed. Saw marks remain visible on the surface.
- Seasoning
- The process of drying green lumber to reduce moisture content before use.
- Shakes
- Cracks that follow the wood grain, often caused by growth stress or improper drying.
- Slab
- A wide, flat section of wood cut from a log, often used for tabletops, countertops, and benches.
- Softwood
- Wood from coniferous trees such as pine, spruce, and fir. Softwoods are commonly used for framing and structural applications.
- Species
- The specific type of tree a piece of wood comes from, such as oak, maple, or walnut.
- Spalted Wood
- Wood affected by fungal growth that creates decorative lines and color variation. Valued for appearance rather than strength.
- Split
- A lengthwise crack in wood caused by drying stress or impact.
- Timber
- Wood prepared for construction or heavy structural use, typically larger than dimensional lumber.
- Timber Stand Improvement (TSI)
- Forest management practices that improve stand health by thinning overcrowded areas and removing undesirable trees.
- Warp
- Any distortion in lumber, such as bow, cup, twist, or crook, usually caused by uneven drying or internal stress.
- Wood Grain
- The direction and pattern of wood fibers, influencing strength, appearance, and workability.
- Woodworking
- The craft of shaping, joining, and finishing wood to create furniture, cabinetry, and other objects.
