List five Wood defects to look out for when selecting timber?

1. Knots: These are circular imperfections in the wood where a branch used to be. They can weaken the wood and affect its appearance.

2. Checks: These are cracks that occur along the grain of the wood. They can weaken the wood and make it more prone to splitting.

3. Warping: This is when the wood becomes distorted or twisted, often due to uneven drying or changes in humidity. Warped wood can be difficult to work with and may not fit properly in a project.

4. Decay: This is when the wood starts to rot due to exposure to moisture or insects. Decayed wood is weak and may need to be replaced.

5. Sapwood: This is the outer layer of wood that is lighter in color and less dense than the heartwood. It is more prone to decay and insect damage, so it is important to check for excessive sapwood in timber.

1. Knots: Areas of dark, twisted grain where branches once grew.
2. Splitting: Cracks in the wood grain, caused by drying or stress.
3. Cupping: Warping of wood in a curved or U-shape, due to moisture changes.
4. Bowing: Bending of wood in a single direction, caused by uneven stress.
5. Checks: Small cracks on the surface of wood, perpendicular to the grain, caused by drying or shrinkage.