Lumber that was dried, usually outside, to an equilibrium moisture content with the air it was exposed to.

The layer of wood growth added each growing season to the diameter of the tree. In the temperate zone the annual growth rings of many species such as oaks and pines are readily distinguished because of differences in the cells formed during the early and late parts of the seasons.

The layer of growth that a tree puts on in one year. The annual growth rings can be seen in the end grain of lumber.

Two of more veneer components or leaves of equal size (prior to edge trimming) to make up a single face. Generally most aesthetically pleasing.

The outermost, protective layer, of a tree composed of dead cork and other elements.

A form of wood measurement, where one board foot equals the volume of a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long.

Matching between adjacent veneer leaves on one panel face. Every other piece of veneer is turned over, so that adjacent leaves are "opened" as two pages in a book.

A defective piece of lumber that has warped along its length.

Wood decay in which the attack concentrates on the cellulose and associated carbohydrates rather than on the lignin, producing a light to dark brown pliable residue and sometimes referred to as dry rot.

Bulges and irregular growths that form on the trunks and roots of trees. Burls are highly sought after for the incredible veneer they yield.

Generally refers to face laminate hardwoods (usually maple) forming a work surface in which the edge grain is exposed to wear.

The live, actively growing, layer of a tree. The cambium is one cell thick and resides between the sapwood and the phloem. It repeatedly divides itself to form new wood and causes the tree to grow and expand.

A defect in the lumber caused by improper drying. Case Hardening is caused when a board is dried too fast. The outer layers in a case hardened board are compressed while the inner layers are in tension.

The smallest, microscopic, structure in wood.

A lengthwise separation of the wood which extends across the rings of annual growth, usually resulting from stresses set up in wood during seasoning.