IS : 707 - 1976

(RootfIrmed

Indian Standard

1990)

( Reaffirmed 1996 )

GLOSSARY OF TERMS APPLICABLE TO

TIMBER TECHNOLOGY AND UTILIZATION
(

Second Revision )
Fourth Reprint MAY 1993

UDC 674 : 001.4

Q CopVrrghr1976
BUREAU
MANAK

Gr 9

OF
BHAVAN.

INDIAN

STANDARDS

9 BAHADUR SHAH
NEW DELHI 110002

ZAFAR

MARC3

September 1976

IS:707-1976

Indian Standard
GLOSSARY OF TERMS APPLICABLE TO
TIMBER TECHNOLOGY
AND UTILIZATION

( Second Revision )
Tirnbcr

Sectional

Committee,

BDC 9
Rcprrsentiq

Chairman

Ministry of Agriculture

SHRI S. K. SETH
Members

Ministry of Railways ( Railway Board )

ADDITIONALDIRECTOR ( TIMBER)
SHRI R. K. BHANSALI( Alfernatc )
Forest Department,
Government
of Himachal
CHIEFCONSERVATOR
OF FORESTS
Pradesh, Simla
CONSERVATOR
OF FORESTS( Alternate j
For&t Department, Go\-crnment of Maharashtra,
CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS
Bombay
National Test House, Calcutta
SHRI G. C. DAS
Forest Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh,
Swru H. C. DAY
Lucknow
DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF Ministry of Agriculture
FORESTS
Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch ( Army Headquarters )
SHRI V. N. DESHPANDE
MAJ M. GOSWAMI( Alternate )
Naval Headquarters
CAPT V. P. GARG
CDR D. C. J. DEANS( Alternate)
Plywood
Industries Research
Institute,
Indian
DR JOSEPHGEORGE
Bangalore
DR D. C. ROY ( Alternate )
Federation of Indian Plywood & Panel Industry,
&RI K. S. LAULY
New Delhi
EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR( Alternate )
Directorate General of
Technical
Development,
SHRI P. V. MEHTA
New Delhi
Ministry of Defence ( R & D )
LT-COL S. A. MOHILE
SHRI U. B. KANCHAN (Altcmatc )
In personal capacity ( 117/K/18-D
Sarvodayn .Nagar,
DR A.N.NAYER
Kanpur )
Ministry of Defence ( DGI )
SHRI NIRMAL SINGW
SHRI GULAMALAM (Allnnate )
( Continued anpoge 2
@

CopUrighf 1976

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

'&is pubkation
is protected under the Indian Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publiiher rhall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act:

18:707-1976
( Confinuedfrom page 1 )
Re,brrsen;ing

Members

Forest Department, Government of Madhya

Bhopal

SHRI S. PASIIUPATI

Pradesh,

Snm S. K. AWASTIIY ( Alfemale )

Forest Research Institute & Colleges, Dehra Dun
PKESlnENT
l:orest Research
Institute &
Colleges
(Wood
DR S. K. PURKAYASTHA
Anatomy Branch), Dehra Dun
_
Indian Plywood Manufacturing Co Ltd, Bombay
DR A. PCRU~HOTHAM
Colony,
In personal
capacity
( C-198
Defence
DR V. RANGANATHAN
New Delhi )
National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
DR R. S. RATRA
Forest Research Institute
& Colleges
(Timber
SHRI A. C. SEKHAR
Mechanics Branch ), Dehra Dun
Drectorate
General of
Supplies &
Disposals,
SHRI SHARANSINCH
New Delhi
Cirectorate General of Civil Aviation ( Ministry of
SHRI F. C. SHARMA
Tourism & Civil Aviation ), New Delhi
Director General, IS1 (l?~-oJic~o Member )
SHRI D. AJITHA SIMIIA,
Director ( Civ Engg )
Secrelary
SHRI J. R. MEHTA
Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), ISI

Timber

Terminology

and Classification

Subcommittee,

BDC 9 : 1

Forest Research Institute

&
Colleges
PInatomy Branch ), Dehra Dun

DR S. K. PURKACASTHA

( Wood

Members
Ministry of Railways ( Railway Board )
ADDITIONALDIRECTOR( TIMBER)
SHRI R. K. BHANSALI( Alternate )
Forest Department, Government of Uttar
SHRI H. C. DAY

Lucknow

Pradesh,

Federation of Indian Plywood and Panel Industry,

New Delhi
EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR ( Alternate )
Kcrala,
Forest
Department,
Government
of
FORESTUTILIZATIONOFFICER
Trivandrum
Directorate General of Technical
Development,
SHRI I. V. MEHTA
New Delhi
Ministry of Defence ( DGI )
SHRI NIRMAL SINGH
SHRI GULAM ALAM ( Alternate)
Forest Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh,
SHRI S. PASHUPATI
SHRI P. DAYAL

Bhopal

SHRI S. K. AWASTHY (
SHRI K. RAMESHRAO
SHRI K.C. SAHNI
SHRI A. c. SEKHAR

Al&mate)

Indian Plywood Manufacturing Co Ltd, Bombay

Forest Research
Institute & Colleges
(Botany
Branch ), Dehra Dun
Forest Research
Institute & Colleges (Timber
Mechanics Branch ) , Debra Dun

iSr707.1976

Indian Standard
GLOSSARY OF TERMS APPLICABLE TO
TIMBER TECHNOLOGY AND UTILIZATION

( Second Revision1
0.

FOREWORD

0.1 This Indian Standard ( Second Revision) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 21 February 1976, after the draft finalized by the
Timber Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering
Division Council.
0.2 A series of Indian Standards covering timber and timber products has
been published by the Indian Standards Institution.
These standards
include a large number of technical terms relating to timber and timber
products. The extensive use of these terms and their likely misconstruction
have necessitated the preparation of this glossary.
0.3 This standard was first published in.1958 and subsequently revised in
1968. In the 1968 version of the standard all the terms used in various
Indian Standards on timber and timber products published by this
Institution up to the year 1967 were included.
0.4 The standard is now being revised again to include a large number of
additional terms commonly used in different aspects of timber technology
and utilization.
However, since it is likely to take some time to finalize
and include all such terms in this glossary at one time, it has been
felt desirable to do so in a phased manner.
Accordingly, it has been
decided to include additional terms in respect of each of the following
aspects of timber technology and utilization as and when the definitions of
the related terms are finalized:
a) Wood anatomy,
b) Preservation and seasoning,
c) Wood poles,
d) Timber conversion and grading, and
e) Timber engineering.
In keeping with the above approach, the existing title of the standard
has also been modified.

ts : 909 - 1996
0.4.1 The dclitritions of additional terms relating to wood anatomy, not
already covered in the 1968 version, have been finalized and are being
Besides, a few of the terms already covered in
included in this revision.
the earlier version have also been revised.
1. SCOPE
1.1 Tllis standard covers dehnitions of common terms applicable
to timber
technology and utilization.
KoTE - Botanical
features and other purely scientific terms are excluded
from the
scope of this standard.
2.

DEFINITIONS
A

Air-Dried
seasoning.

The

condition

of timber

which

has been

subjected

to air-

Air-Dry - A term applied to timber the moisture content of which is in

appro,ximate
equilibrium
with the local atmospheric
conditions, irrespec tivc of the method of seasoning.
Air-Seasoned
sun and rain.

Timber

Air-Seasoning
and rain.

All-Heart
sapwood.

Seasoning

-Timber

Annual Ring ( see Pig. 1 ).

Timber

in open

done in open air, usually

containing
layer

seasoned

heartwood

of wood

formed

protected

protected

only and completely

during

FIO. 1 CROSSSFGTIOl: OF LOO

4

air

one

years

from

from

sun

free from
growth

is : 707 - 1976

At

the &se - A term which means at the ground level while measuring
the diameter of standing trees as contrasted with the terms at the stump
and at breast height .
At the Stumh -

At the top level of stump.

B

Back -

The side opposite

Ballies Bark -

Thin round
The covering

Bark Pockets

to the face.

po!es usually

without

bark.

or rind of a tree outside

Bark enclosed

or occluded

the wood ( see Fig. 1 ).

in the wood.

Basic Stress -The

stress which is detcrmincd
on small clear spccinrcns
of timber in accordance
with standard
practice and doer not take into
account the effect of naturally occurring characteristics
and other factors.
Batch - Plywood and other panel boards of the same thickness produced
from the same materials and at the same time, on any working day, using
same roll of film adhesive or mix of adhesive.
Batten -

A piece of sawn timber

exceed 5 cm in either direction.

whose cross-sectional

dimensions

do not

Batten

8 cm
which
grain
outer

Board - A board having a core made up of strips of wood usually

wide, each laid separately or glued or otherwise joined to form a slab
is glued between two or more outer veneers with the direction of the
of the core battens running
at right angles to that of the adjacent
veneers ( see Fig. 2 ).

FIG. 2

BATTEN

Baulk -

BOARD

A piece of sawn timber whose cross-sectional

5 cm in one direction and 20 cm in other direction.

dimensions

exceed

Beam -

A structural
timber generally long in proportion
to its width and
thickness and used for supporting
load primarily by its internal resistance
to bending.
In commercial
practices
it is sometimes
used to mean
Ritches .
Bearer -A

purpose

beam
of carrying

supported
at two or more points and provided
other members.
5

for the

IS : 707 - 1976
Bent Wood -

M&t

-A

Solid wood artificially

bknt

to shapl.

short length of a thin stem or branch wood.

Organic binding material used for adhesion of timber members.

Binder -

Bird Peak - A small hole or patch of distorted grain, sometimes associated

with discolouration, attributed to birds.

Dimension stock timber from which the finished article is made.

Blank-

-Anything
that mars the appearance of wood but is not serious
enough to be classed as defect.

Blemish

bulge on the surface due to a separation

Blister -A
plies or veneers, usually at a glue line.

of the constituent

Block Board - A board having a core made up of strips of wood, each

not exceeding 25 mm in width, laid separately or glued or otherwise joined
to form a slab which is glued between two or more outer veneers with the
direction of the grain .of the core blocks running at right angles to that of
the adjacent outer veneers (see Fig. 3 ).

FIG. 3

BLOCKBOARD

- Any block or wood strip fastened to the inside of a crate to

hold the contents in position.

Blocking

- A series of compartments within a reasonable geographical area

convenient for location and mapping.

Blocks

Board* -A

term used to denote thin planks.

Bole -

The main stem of a tree.

Bolt -

A short log 1.25 m or less in length.

Bond -An

adhesive on the wood at the line of application.

The process of uniting two or more pieces of wood or veneers

by means of an adhesive. This process is characterized by continuity of
the union over the whole of the areas of contact.

Bonding -

*The use of this texm is deprecated.

6

IS : 707 - 1976
Borer Hole -A
other organisms.

hole caused

by the attack

Bow - A curvature in a piece of timber

its length ( see Fig. 4 ).

FIG. 4
_

of wood

boring

insects

along its face in the direction

and
of

Bow

piece of timber, so sawn or hewn that the pith or the

Boxed Heart -A
centre heart falls entirely within the four surfaces throughout
its length
( see Fig. 5 ).

FIG.

BOXED HEART

Box Type Corner - A corner formed by four edge members so arranged

that two of them are nailed with their wide faces together while the other
two are nailed to the side grain of the first two.

IS t 707 - 1976
Braces -

Diagonal

members

in framework.

- Brittleness of wood caused by condition

of growth, partial
It causes timber to break suddenly into two pieces
decay, dry rot or dote.
Such a tendency is also indicated
without splintering when under stress.
by timbers of exceptionally
low specific gravity or when the mass of the
piece is far too low when compared to the average mass of other pieces of
the same timber.
Brashness

Brash Wood -

Wood which is liable to break suddenly

with

little

or no

splintering.
involved in sawing a log longitudinally
Break-Down - Initial operation
from the round into cants and also converting
cants into large sizes of
timber preparatory
to manufacture.
Breast Height - Height above ground level at which the girth of a tree
It is taken as I.37 m. The term callipering
is generally measured.
height is also suggested for future USC.
Burl -See
Burr -

branch

Burr .

A large bulge or excrcscrnce

of a tree.

that

is formed

the trunk

on

or the

Butt -

The end of bole or log nearer the stump.

.
Buttress - An extraneous
growth of the lower portion

of the trunk.

C
Callus -Tissue

growth

which develops subsequent

of which tends to cover the wound.
- The single layer of actively
bark and wood.

Cambium

between

to an injury

dividing

to a tree,

cells ( cambial

the

initials

Cant - Thick piece of timber with or without squared edges, sawn from
a flitch or a log and intended for further conversion into smaller sizes.
Case Hardening

-A
condition of timber during seasoning in which the
different layers of wood are under stress by b&g under compression across
the grain ( usually due to rapid surface drying in the kiln).

Cell -

structural

A compartment
bounded by a wall of its own constituting
unit of wood and other plant tissues.

Cell Wall - The limiting membrane

layers particularly
in wood.

Primary Cell Wall -

Outermost

of a cell usually

comprising

layer of cell wall adjoining

8

the basic
several

middle lamella.

IS : 707 - 1976
Secondary Cell Wall Centre Heart Chain Groove
Chamfering
timber.

The walls formed inside the primary

The core of a log including

-

Bevelling

Grain -

Clear Bole Clear Timber

Minor

A bolt
-

the pith.

See Napha .
or

machining

Check -A
separation of fibres along
face of a piece of wood.
Chipped

Lvall.

chipping

the

,sharp

the grain

edge

which

of a piece

is confined

of

to one

of surface of timber.

that is free from branches.

Timber

which is free from defects and blemishes.

Closed Assembly
Time - The time elapsing between
joint components and the appfication of pressure.

assembly

of the

Closed Contact Adhesive - A non-gap-filling

adhesive suitable f%r use
only in those joints whrre the surfaces to bc jointed
may be brrjught
into close contact
I)y nlcans of adcquatc
pressure and where glue line
exceeding 0.12 m may bc avoided with certainty.
Collapse - The corrugated ap?carance
but uneven shrinkage during drying.

of timber

ColumnA structural member which supports

cing compressive stress along the grain.

caused due to excessive

load

Common Rafter - A roof member which supports

covering, such as boarding and sheeting.
Compartment-A
fixed territorial
management,
description and record.

unit

primarily

roof battens

of a forest

Components
of Fence - Various items, such as posts,
rods and fixtures, which go to form a pre-designed fence.

for
rails,

by induand roof

purposes
strips,

of
guy

Composite Bolt - Sticks from the upper and lower portions of the same
log to be tested in a particular
condition ( green or dry)
and bundled
together.
Compression
Failure-Deformation
caused by the wood bring overstressed in compression due to normal forces during the growth of the tree
or felling trees on irregular
ground or rough handlmg
of logs.
lhe
deformations range from well-defined buckling of the fibrcs, visible to t!lc
eye as wrinkles across the fqce of the piece, to slight crinkling of fibrcs.

IS t 707

1976

Compression Wood - Abnormal wood which is formed

It is
of branches and inclined stems of coniferous trees.
than normal wood but relatively low in strength for its
usually identified by wide eccentric growth rings with
proportion of latewood.

on the lower sides

darker and harder
It may be
mass.
abnormally
high

to suit the moisture

content
Conditioning - The process designed
timbers to the conditions and purposes for which it is to be used.
Conversion Core -

The process of sawing timber.

The inner

Core Board -A
batten board.

Crook -A

layer or layers of a composite

general

Crate Corner Crate Edge -

That

term

for block

board,

laminated

board

and

The line where two faces of a crate meet.

of naturally

curved

Cross Band -A
general term indicating
veneers in composite wood products.
Cross Break -

Break or fracture

Cross-Cutting -

Crotch -

wood product.

part of a crate where its three faces meet.

short length

Cross-Grained
from a direction

of

Sawing

timber

timber.

a transverse

layer

of veneer

or

across the grain of the wood.

across the grain.

Timber - Timber in which the fibre alignment

parallel to the long axis of the piece.

deviates

A fork in a log of wood.

CUP - A curvature
piece (see Fig. 6 ).

in a piece of timber

Curvature or Sweep -

Deviation

across the grain

or width

of the

of a pole from straightness.

Cylindrical Log -A
log is cylindrical
when it has its least diameter at
every cross section more than 80 percent of the greatest diameter
at the
same section, including flutes or trimmed buttresses within these limit.q,
10

is : 707 f 1976

FIG. 6

CUP
D

Dead Wood Debark -

Timber

To remove

Decay - Disintegration
or other micro-organisms.

produced

from dead standing

the bark from a tree or a log.

of wood tissues caused by fungi ( wood destroying

Decorative Veneers -Veneers

figure, colour, grain, lustre, etc.

having

Degrade - Development
of any defect,
lowers the grade of a piece of timber.
Delamination -

trees.

Separation

attractive
blemish

of plies or laminae

appearance

due to

or imperfection

through

failure

that

of glue.

Diagonal Brace - A frame member affixed to crate face at an angle

usually between 30 and 60 to the edge members of that face.

of

Diameter at Breast Height - The diameter of a stem measured

over
bark at a height of l-37 m from the ground level.
Where the tree stands
on a sloping ground, the height shall be measured
from that side of the
tree which faces the top of the slope.

li

IS : 707 - 1976
Diffuse Porous Wood-Wood
in which the pores are of fairly uniform
size and evenly distributed throughout the growth ring ( see Fig. 7 ).

Gum

Duct-

-Pore

SAL

(Shorto
FIG.

Dimension
purpose.

Stock -Timber

robusta

DIFFUSE

sawn

>

POROUS WOOD

to

exact

dimensions

for

a special

Disc-Dowel
- A circular disc of very hard wood shaped in the form of a
double conical frustum used for joining two pieces of timber in construction
work.
Discolouration
does not impair

-A
change from the normal
the strength of the wood.

colour

of the

wood which

Dog Board - In sawing timber on a head saw, the last board

to which the carriage dogs are attached.

in the log

Dote - An early stage of decay characterized

by local discolouration of the
wood most frequently in the form of streaks along the grain but sometimes
as spots.
Drag-Hole
chain.

-A

hole cut near

the end of a log to accommodate

12

a drag

IS : 907 - 1976
Dressed Timber
the exact required

-Timber
condition.

which has been sawn, planed and worked

to

Dressing - Initial preparation

of a log for extraction
or conversion.
This includes removal of bark, branches, protuberances,
buttresses, etc.
Drilling -Making
round holes
drilling machine or hand drill.
Dubbling - A thickness
caused by faulty sanding.

deficiency

Durability - Resistance
like insects and fungi.
Duramen

the surface
along

of timber

by means

the edge of a particle

offered by wood to agents of natural

See Heartwood

on

of

board

destruction

.
E

Early Wood - The portion of wood that is formed during the early
of the growth season, usually in the form of thin-walled cells.
Edge-Grained
Edging

Timber

Straightening

Round Edge -

See Quarter-Sawn

Timber

part

the edges of a board with plane or machine.

The edge which is a part of a circle.

Splayed Edge -

A chamfer

extended

Surface Edge -

Edge which is at right angles to either or both the surfaces.

Edgiags
- Strips, sometimes
edges of converted timber.

to the full thickness

including

of the timber.

bark also, which are cut from

the

Elastic Limit - The greatest stress which a material is capable of developing without a permanent deformation rernaiuing upon the complete release
of the stress.
Element

A general

term occasionally

This term
by the load.

Elongation length effected

nent set.

Cracks

to cell.

IS
change in
used to describe the permanent
Elongation is sometimes referred to as perma-

End CoatingCoating
applied
drying and subsequent splitting.
End Cracks

used as an alternative

appearing

to

the ends of timber

on the end surface

Epidermis - In bamboos, the outermost

thickened and cuticulerised outer wall.

13

layer

to retard

end-

of the timber.

of culm

often

strongly

PS : 707 - 1976
Equilibrium

Moisture

Content

- The
moisture
in a constant condition

attained by wood when placed

humidity.
Excelsior

material.
Extender

of gluing

curling
.

Long,
narrow,
Syn. Wood-Wool

wood

shavings

content
which
is
of temperature
and
used

as

- A substance added to the adhesive either to reduce

or to reduce penetration
through the veneers or both.

Extension

- The term
caused by the load.

is used to describe

the total

linear

packing
the cost

deformation

F
Face -

The better side of the plywood panel in any grade calling for a face
,and a back; also, either side of a panel where the grading rules draw no
distinction
between faces.

Fence Posts -

Pieces of timber of specified length, circular or rectangular

in cross section and which may be suitably conncctcd
to each other in
vertical position to form a protcctivc barricade to a place or building
so as
to prevent intruders.
Brick Posts - Light fence posts between
used for supporting
rzils.
Cleft Fence Posts -

Scgmcntal

Pale Fence Strips -- Pointed

section,

used in pale fencing

Rectangular Fence Posts -

by sawing

the main posts in a wooden fence

fcncc posts obtained

only by splitting.

pieces of wood , gcncrally

between two fence posts.

Fence posts rectangular

rectangular

in cross

in cross section, obtained

on all the sides.

Round Fence Posts -

Fence

posts which

are

approximately

circular

in

cross section.
Segmental Fence Posts -

cross section throughout

a round fence post.
Fibre -A

comparatively

Fence posts having approx,mateJy

a segmental
the length, obtained by either sawmg or splitting
long,

narrow

cell of wood

or bast with

closed

Gelatinous Fibre - A fibre in which the secondary

wall or a part
same is more or less unlignified:
it is a usual characteristic
of tension

of the
wood.

ends.

14

IS : 707 - 1976
Fibre Saturation
Point -The
condition
of timber
with respect to
moisture content when all free water has dried out and the cell walls are
saturated with moisture.
Ab ove this moisture content there is no significant variation in strength, shrinkage or other physical properties.
Fibril-A
thread-like
or light microscope.

component

of ccl1 walls,

NOTE- This term, used without qualification,

opposed to ultra structural microfibril .

visible

is equivalent

Fibril Angle -The

angle betwien the longitudinal
the direction of the fibrils in the cell wall.

under

an optical

to macrofibril

as

axis of the cells and

Figure - A general term applied to distinctive markings ( usually decorative ) on cut wood surfaces due to variations in colour, grain, lustrc, ctc,
and structural features like knots, large rays, conspicuous growl 11 rings and
prominent parenchyrna.
The principal types of figures gcnera!ly recognized
are as follows.
Bear Scratch - Figure produced
finished timber has tllc appearance

by dislortions
of tllc grain
of clongatcd eyes.

which

in

Birds Eye .- Figure on the flat-sawn and rotary-cut

surlacc of wood
exhibiting numerous rounded arcas rcscmbling sn~ll cycs, catlscd by small
conical depressions on the f&es.
Blister - Figure on smooth flat-sawn and rotary-cut
sllrfaces haviug the
appearance
of more or less widely sp,uzed, raised or dcprchscd area of
rounded contour, caused by undulations of the grain.

Burl OY Burr -Figure

obtained from a burr, charactcrizcd
by highly
contorted grain and sometimes including numerous small knot-like growths
or eyes as in walnut, padauk, etc.
Crotch - Figure obtained from a crotch, due to divergent
longitudinal elements.
Cf. Curl and Swirl .
Curl -

Feather

Figure

course

of the

typical of veneers cut from near the heart of a crotch.

Cf. Swirl .

Syn.

and Plume .

Curly- Figure produced by an arrangement

of the fibres in irregular
curves.
Syn. Curly Grain . Cf. Fiddle Back and Wavy .
Feather -

See Curl above.

Fiddle Rack - Figure produced by a type of fine wavy grain found in a

few woods like maple and sycamore,
traditionally
used for the backs of
violins ( fiddles ).
Cf. Curly and Wavy .

15

IS:707-1976
Mottle - Figure produced by irregular wavy grain, giving the appearance
of light and dark spots or blotches; several drfferent forms of mottle are
recognized.
See Curl above.

Plume @i/ted-

Figure

Ribbon Grain Roe Grain -

having the appearance

See Note under Stripe below.

produced

Stripe-Figure
produced
Syn. Ribbon Grain .

on quarter-sawn

on quarter-sawn

timber

timber

by conspicuous

by interlocking

grain.

stripe rrfers to a vrry rrgular stripe figure running more or less the
type of stripe
of the pieces; broken stripe or roe grain to a discontinuous

Ribbon

Figure

Swirl knot.

material.

See Stripe below.

Silver Grain - Figure

broad rays, as in oak.

NOTE full length

figure.

of quilted

produced

by irregular

grain in the region

of a crotch

or

Wavy-Figure
produced by an arrangement
of fibres, etc, in the form
Syn. Wavy Grain . Cf. Cudy and Fiddle
of waves or undulations.
Back .
Fill -

Splash bars or splash slats as used in cooling

towers.

such as wood flour, added to alter the

Filler - An inert substance,
characteristics,
for example to reduce brittlcncss of a synthrtic resin. The
term is sometimes loosely and incorrectly
used as intcrchangcablc
with
Extender .
Fire Proofing - A term usually
suitable processing or .trcatment.
Flat Grained
Timber .

Timber

employed

GiqTangential

longitudinal.

Formation -The
for particle board.

laying of the blended

Forming

See Formation

depression

16

indicate

Sawn Timber

Flitch - A piece of sawn or hewn timber

exceed 20 cm in any direction.
Flute - A natural
near the butt end.

to

fire-retarding
-

by

See Plain Sawn

whose cross-sectional

dimensions

on the surface of a log usually

mass of particles

to form

a mat

IS : 707 - 1976
Fortifier - A substance used primarily
durability of hot setting urea resins.

to increase

the boil resistance

and

Frame Work - The frame work is the structure consisting of the edge
primarily
to the
members,
diagonal
braces and struts that contribute
strength and rigidity of crate.

G
Gap - A void in the core due to a split or due to edges of adjacent
not being close.

veneers

Gap Filling Adhesive - An adhesive suitable for use in those joints where
the surfacts to bc joined may or may not be in close or continuous contact
owing either to impossibility
of applying adequate pressure or to slight
inaccuracies in machining.
Girdling - To cut a ring through the bark and outer living layers of wood
in a continuous incision all round the bole of a tree.
Glue-Line - The resultant layer of adhesive
two adjacent wood layers in an assembly.

effecting

union

between

any

Grade
a)

Noun -Accepted
according

b)

Verb -

classification
to quality.

To sort timber

Grain - A term used rather

tics of wood, namely:

of

into different

timber
accepted

loosely to refer to many

or

timber

products

classes.
different

characteris-

The general direction of the fibres or wood elements relative to the

main axis of the piece, for example, cross, diagonal, dip, interlocked, spiral, straight and wild.

b)

The plane
slash.

Certain
types of figures,
swirl and wavy.

d)

Defects in
contributes,
woolly.

to the cut surface,

for example,

for example,

the worked surface, to

for example,
chipped,

edge,, end, side and

curly,

ribbon,

roe, silver,.

which faulty working often

loosened,
raised,
torn and

e) The types of failure, for example, short grain.

f> As a synonym for texture, for example, close,

coarse,

even, fine,

open and uneven.

It ia recommended

that the term grain be restricted

17

to (a) only.

IS : 707- 1976
Across the Grain -Any
direction in the plane at right angles to the general
direction of the fibres and other longitudinal
elements of the wood.
Syn.
Perpendicular
to the Grain .
Along the Grain -

and other longitudinal

The direction of plane parallel to the length of the fibres

elements of the wood. Syn. Parallel to the Grain .

Bastard Grain - Timber or veneer, so sawn that the annual

make angles of 30 to 60 with the surface of the piece.
Ch$ped Grain - A defect caused by the breaking
finished surface by the action of a tool or cutter.

Close Grain -

See Fine Texture

Coarse Grain Comb Grain -

See Coarse

under

under

Texture

See Quarter-Sawn

Texture

Timber

growth

rings

of the wood below the

.

Texture

Cross Grain - A general term indicating

that the alignment
of the fibres
and other longitudinal
elements deviates from the direction parallel to the
long axis of a piece of timber.
It includes diagonal,
spiral, and other
deviations from straight grain.
Cf. Straight Grain . See also Slope of
Grain and Spiral Grain below.
Curb Grain -

See Curly under

( Figure

Diagonal Grain - The occurrence of fibres and other longitudinal

elements
at an angle to the longitudinal
surfaces of a piece of timber owing to
faulty
conversion.
Syn. Oblique
Grain and Sloping Grain . Cf.
Straight Grain . See also Cross Grain above.
Dip Grain -In

around

wood, slight
knots or resin pockets.

Edge Grain -

undulations

See Quarter-Sawn

in the

Timber

fibres,

such

as occur

End Grain -

direction

A cross-cut surface, that is, one at right angles to the general

of the fibres.
Cf. Side Grain .

Even Grain -

See Even Texture

Fine Grain -

See Fine Texture

Flat Grain -

See Plain

Fuzzy Grain -

under
under

Sawn Timber

See Woolly

Grain

Texture
Texture

.
.

below.

Interlockkd Grain -A
type of grain in which the alignment
or verticai elements changes direction or reverses periodically
layers.
Syn. Interwoven
Grain .
NQTE -

Alternating spiral grain is a special case of interlocked grain,

18

of the fibres
in successive

IS : 707 - 1976
Loosened Grain - A defect on a flat sawn surface caused by the separation
01 raising of wood fibres along the growth rings. Cf. Raised Grain .
See c Coarse Texture under c Texture .

Open Grain -

Quarter Grain -

See Quarter-Sawn

Timber .

Raised Grain - A defect primarily due to the use of blunt cutters, consisting
of a roughened condition of the dressed surface of timber, in which some
portions of the growth layers are higher than others; it is accentuated by
differential shrinkage.
Cf. ( Loosened Grain .
Ribbon Grain Rift Grain Roe Grain -

See Stripe under

See c Quarter-Sawn

Figure .

Timber .

See Stripe under Figure .

condition of slight breaks in the veneer, caused by

Ruptured Grain -A
irregular grain or improper cutting,
Short Grain -

See Brashness .

Side Grain - Any surface cut parallel to the general direction of the fibres.
Cf. End Grain .
SilverGrain -

See under Figure .

Slash Graiq -

See Plain Sawn Timber .

Slope of Grain the members.

The inclination of the fibres to the longitudinal

axis of

NOTE- It is measured as a gradient expressing the ratio of two sides of a rightangled triangle, one parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member and the other perpendicular to it.
Spiral Grain - Grain in which the vertical elements are aligned spirally
in the bole of a standing tree or a log.
Straight Grain - Grain in which the fibres or longitudinal elements are
aligned parallel to the axis of the tree or the longitudinal surfaces of
a piece of timber.

lar grain ustially surrounding knots and crotches.

Swirl Grain - Irre
also Crotch and r wirl under Figure .

See

Torn Grain-A
machine defect of surfaced timber where the fibres of the
wood have been torn out around knots and curly places by the action of
planer knives, tools or other matters.
19

IS : 707 - 1976
Twisted Grairz -

See Spiral Grain above.

UnevenGrain -

See Uneven Texture under Texture .

Vertical Grain -

See Quarter-Sawn

Wavy Grain -

Timber .

See Wavy under Figure .

Wild Grain - Irregular grain running in various directions

1 restricted area.

often within

NOTE - It is often the cause of distortion and rough patches on the surface of dressed
timber or veneer. See also Swirl Grain above.

Woolly Grain - A defect caused by the tendency of the fibres to fray out
in machining, so producing a rough surface. Syn. Fuzzy Grain .

Green TimberFreshly felled timber which has not lost much of its moisMoisture
ture or timber which still contains free water in its cell cavities.
content of such timber is above fibre saturation point.
Ground Line - The girth line up to which a wood pole may be fixed
in ground in actual use.
RateIn timber, confined to the radial increase and commonly
expressed as the number of growth rings per linear unit measured radially
on the cross section of a log or piece of converted timber.

Growth

Growth

season.

Ring -A
layer of wood apparently produced in one growing
The duration of a growing season may not always be one year.

Discontinuous Growth Ring -A

growth ring that is not traceable all round
the stem as viewed in cross section.

One of the growth rings of a double (or multiple)

False Growth Ring -

ring.
Growth,

Secondary

Growth due to the activities of cambium.

Special tubular passages containing gum or resin.

mostly used in porous wood.

Gum Ducts -

Gum Pocket ed gum.

A term

Cavity of any size in wood which contains or has contain-

accumulation of gummy substances occurring as a small patch or streak in timber.

It is similar to pitch pocket or
pitch streak.

Gum Spot and Streak -An

20

IS : 707 - 1976
etrtn Vein b A local accumulation
of gum in the form of a streak 01
shield-like
tangential
plate of varying size, as seen on the longitudinal
surface.
A supporting
inclined piece of timber
Guy Rodvertical post particularly at the corners of the fence.

used along

with the

H
Hair Split grain.

A very thin, short,

superficial

Half Wrought - Semi-finished timber

to be done either by hand or by machine

separation

of fibres along

the

on which further operations have

in order to complete the process.

material used to promote the setting of the resin.

It may
Hardener -A
It is an essential part of the adhesive,
be either in liquid or powder form.
the properties of which depend upon using the resin and hardener as
directed.
term used to denote the wood of broadHardwood - A conventional
leaved trees. It has no relationship with the physical properties of hardress
or strength.
On account of the confusion this word has caused, its use is
discouraged.
Harmless
Insect HoleInsect
exceeding 1.6 mm in diameter.
Heart

Cemtre -

See Centre

hole

with

no

living

borers

and not

Heart .

Heartwood -The
inner portion of wood in a tree or a log, which is
generally of a darker colour.
It is usually devoid of living cells and reserve
materials like starch and, therefore, is less liable to insect and fungal attack
than sapwood.
False Hcartwood - Wood discoloured by natural causes, such as fungus,
frost and abnormal
conditions of growth, so that it simulates heartwood,
often markedly
irregular
in shape as seen on a cross section
of the
log.
Examples of false heartwood
are blackheart
and frost heart.
Syn.
c Pathological Heartwood .
Ripewood -Heartwood
which does not show appreciable
colour from sapwood, as in fir, mango, semul, gamari, etc.
Hewn Timber - Timber
are sometimes sawn.
Holes -

Cavities

Large Hole -

converted

to size by an axe or adze.

caused by worms, insects, birds or mechanical

Hole above

12 mm in diameter.
21

difference
The
means.

in

ends

IS : 707 - 1976
Pinhole - Hole not over 2 mm in diameter, usually darkly stained and
not containing bore dust or frass.
around holes or slots causing a ring of about 2.5 mm
Hole Zone -Area
width.
Hollow Heart - A cavity in the heart of the bole resulting from decay.
Honeycombing - Internal cracks (separation of fibres ) in timber due
to drying stresses.
Horizontal - The main horizontal members interconnecting columns.
I
lncipent Decay -

See Dote .

Insect Damage -

Damage caused by insects and their larvae.

Joint etc.

A prepared connection for joining adjacent pieces of wood, veneer,

Butt Joint -Joint

in which two pieces of timber are *joined end to end
Sometimes dowels are used in such a manner that
usually across the grain.
half of the dowel is thrust in each piece ( see Fig. 8 ).

FIG. 8

BUTT JOINT

Combed Joint - A joint formed by series of tenons engaged in corresponding slots ( seeFig. 9 ).

FIG. 9

COMBEDJOINT

22

IS:707-1976
Dovetnil Joint - A joint at the corner of two pieces in such a way that the
notches made on one are fitted exactly into projections
of corresponding
size and shape made in the other.
There are various kinds of dovetail
joints, for instance, lapped dovetail joint and wedge shaped dovetail joint,
joined in a way which will resist withdrawal except in the direction
in
which it was assembled ( see Fig. 10 ).

FIG.

10 DOVETAIL JOINT

Dowel Joint - A joint in which dowels or pegs are placed in corresponding

holes made on the two joining faces ( see Fig. 111).

FIG.

11

DOWEL
23

JOINT

IS : 707- 1976
Edge Joint - A joint made between two pieces of timber
general direction of the grain ( see Fig. 12 ).

FIG. 12

End Joint -

A joint

made between

or veneers in the

EDGE JOINT

two veneers across the grain.

A joint in which two pieces of timber are jointed in such a

overlaps the other and the entire surface may or may not
continuous
( see Fig. 13 ).

Lap Joint way that

remain

one

FIG. 13

LAP JOINT

Halvedjoint - A lap joint in which the timber is reduced to half section

UP to a certain length at one end in both the pieces, which are lapped one
on another and joined ( see Fig. 14).

FIG. 14

HALVED JOINT

&drf
joint - A lap joint in which the ends or edges are bevelled
the entire surface remains continuous
( see Fig. 15 ) .

Fro. 15

SCARFJOINT

24

and

18:707-1976
Mitred Joint -, A joint between two members at an angle in which the
jointing surfaces are cut to corresponding edges at the intersection.
Mortise and Tenon Joint -A
of one member fits into the
member ( see Fig. 16 ).

FIG. 16

joint in which the reduced end (tenon )

corresponding slot ( mortise ) in another

MORTISEAND

TENON JOINT

Tongue and Groove Joint-A

joint in which a tongue is provided on edge
of one member to fit into a corresponding groove on edge of the other
(see Fig. 17).

FIG. 17

TONCWEAND GROOVEJOINT
25

IS : 707 - 1976
Joist -

A beam directly

Jungle Wood*

supporting

floor, ceiling or roof of a structure,

A loose term used for miscellaneous

unclassified

timbers.

K
trade term to denote
Kadi -A
roof timbers.
Kerf -

scantlings

of odd sizes generally

A saw cut.

Kiln - A chamber in which temperature,

may be controlled for seasoning timber.
Kiln Seasoning
Drying .
Knob -

used a3

humidity

The process of seasoning

A hard rounded

protuberance

18

*The use of this term is deprecated.

26

in a kiln.

on the surface

Knot - A branch base or limb embedded

growth (see Fig. 18 ).

FIG.

timber

and circulation

Syn. Kiln-

of the log.

in the tree or timber

KNOT

of air

by natural

IS I 707- 1976
ClassiJication

of Knots

Knots classtjied according to size

Large knot Medium

A knot

knot -

more than 40 mm in diameter.

A knot more than 20 mm but not more than 40 mm

in diameter.
Pin knot -

A knot not mom than 6.5 mm in diameter.

Small knot -A

knot more than 6.5 mm but

not more

than

20 mm

in diameter.
Knots cIas$ied
Blind

according

knot -

to quality

A large occluded

knot

that

leaves

a pronounce

local

swelling on the bole.

Branch knot -

Two or more knots branching

from common,axis.

Dead knot - A knot in which the layers of annual

growth are not
completely intergrown with those of the adjacent wood.
It is surrounded
by pith or bark.
The encasement
may be partial or complete.
Syn.
Encased Knot and Black Knot . Cf. Live Knot .
Enclosed knot -

A knot that

does not appear

on the surface

of the

timber.
Hollow knot -

See Pith Knot below.

Live knot - A knot free from decay and other defects, in which the
fibres arc firmly intcrgrown
with those of the surrounding
wood.
Syn.
Intcrgrown
Knot . Cf. Dead Knot . See also Sound Knot below.

Loose knot - A knot that is not held firmly in place by growth or

position, and that cannot be relied upon to remam in place.
Cf. Tight
Knot .
Pith knot - An otherwise
sound knot with a pith hole.
usage reserves this for torn holes less than 6.0 cm in diameter.
Punk knot -

tissue.

An unsound
knot containing
Syn. Decayed Knot . See also Unsound

much
fungus-infected
Knot below.

Sound knot -A
tight knot free from decay, which
fact, and at least as hard as the surrounding
wood.
Tight

firm in position

knot -

A knot
in the piece.

American

is solid across its

so held by growth or position

Cf. Loose Knot .

as to remain

Unsound knot - A knot which is not solid across its face or which,
as a result of decay, is not as hard as the surrounding
wood.
If the
decay is advanced, there may be a hole in the centre with decay on the sides
of the hole.
Cf. Sound Knot . See also Punk Knot above.

37

IS:707-1976
Knots classified according to form OYshape
Oual knot - A knot with one axis longer than the other due to cutting
Cf. Round Knot
obliquely to the lengthwise direction of the branch.
and Splay Knot .
Round knot -- A knot revealed in a section cut approximately
at right
Cf. Splay Knot
and Oval
angles to its axis and so appearing
round.
Knot .

Splay knot - A knot revealed in a section cut approximately

parallel
Syn. Horn Knot , Spike
to its axis and so having an elongated shape.
Knot , Mule-Ear
Knot * and Slash Knot *. Cf. Round Knot and
Oval.Knot
.
Diameter of Knot - The maximum
distance between two points farthest
apart on the periphery
of a round knot, on the face on which it becomes
visible.
In the case of a spike or splay knot, the maximum
width of the
knot visible on the face on which it appears shall be taken as its diameter.

L
Laminated

and adhesive

Wood-An

assembled product made up of layers

in which the grains of adjacent layers are parallel.

of wood

having
a core of strips, each not exceeding
Board - A board
7 mm in thickness, glued together face to face to form a slab which in turn
is glued between two or more outer veneers, with the direction ofthe grain
of the core strips running
at right angles to that of the adjacent outer
veneers ( see Fig. 19 ).
Lamin

Fro.

19

LAMIN BOARD

- The portion of the wood that is formed

season and consists of thicker walled cells.

Latewood

growth

*The use of this term is deprecated.

28

in the later

part

of

IS:707-1976
Live Timber - Timber
the time of cutting.

cut from a tree which was:standing

Location -Location
is generally
timber is used in building.

referred

Inside Location - Position in buildings

ously dry or protected from weather.
Outside Location subjected to wetting
exposed structures.

to as the exact

in which

timber

Lumber

The stem of a tree that is felled and prepared

-

place

where

remains

continu-

Position in buildings in which timbers are occasionally

and drying as in the case of open sheds and outdoor

Wet Location - Position in buildings in which timbers

nuously damp or wet or in contact with cart11 or water,
timber foundations.

Log -

and living at

Converted

are almost CcJntisuch as piles and

for conversion.

timber.
M

Medulla

See Pith .

Meristem - A tissue capable

cells to the plant body.

of active

cell division,

thereby

adding

new

Metal Clips and Staples - Fasteners used in the assembly of plywood to

prevent movement of the veneers during processing.
Zhese are removed
from the finished product.
MicrofibrilA thread like component
of the fibrils of the cell wall,
from 10 to 40 nm in diameter,
visible under an electron
microscope;
believed to be composed of chain molecules and cellulose extending through
regions of parallelism and order ( crystallites ) and regions of nonparallelism and/or disorder ( amorphous regions ).
Mineral
StreakStreaks on the face of timber,
due to deposit
mineral matter, which do not affect strength or durability of the timber.
Moisture
Content-The
mass of water present
in
material expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry mass.
Moisture Gradieirt layers of wood.
Mortise
size.

-A

A gradation

in the moisture

hole or slot to receive

49

a tenon

wood

content

or

of

other

in successive

or dowel of corresponding

IS t 707 - 1976
Mould - A soft vegetative growth that forms on wood in damp, stagnant
atmosphere.
It is the least harmful type of fungus, usually confined to the
surface of the wood.
Moulding

Shaping

timber

to a required

outline

or contour.

Multi-layer
Particle
Board - A board made of several layers of like
material in which particles of different shapes and sizes may be used in
di.Kerent layers.
Multiply

Plywood

board made of more than three layers of veneer.

N
Napha -A
groove cut along the periphery
and near
for the purpose of dragging by use of rope or chain.

one end of the log

Narrow-Ringed
-Applied
to timber with relatively narrow growth rings.
Syn. Slow Grown , Close Grown and Fine Grown . Cf. Wide-Ringed
.
Natural Grown Trees - Trees grown in a forest either out of coppice
out of seeds under natural forest conditions.
Non-porous

Wood -

See Non-pored

or

Wood under Wood .

0
Open Assembly
Time - The time
the adhesive and assembly of the joint

elapsing between
components.

the application

of

Open Defect - A defect in the plywood,

natural or otherwise, which
In solid timber the term is applicable
causes a hole or gap in a ply.
to any defect that can be seen with the naked eye.
Oval Log - A log is oval when the least diameter at either end is less than
80 percent of the greatest diameter at the same end.
.Oven-Dry - The condition
of timber
dried artificially
slightly above 100C until its mass becomes constant.
Overlap - A ridge-like elevation noticeable
lapping of two adjacent core veneers.

30

on the surface

in

an oven at
due to over-

IS : 707 - 1976
P
Parenchyma

of thin-walled
cells that are typically
- Tissues composed
brick shaped or isodiameteric
and have simple pits formed in wood from
(a) fusiform cambial initials by later transverse
division of the daughter
cells ( axial parenchyma
), or (b) ray initials ( ray or radial parenchyma
).
Syn. Soft Tissue and Storage Tissue .
NOTE- It primarily
concerns
with the storage and distribution
of food materials.
if occurring in the xylem,
It is termed as Wood Parenchgma
or Xylem Parcnchyma
and Phloem Parenchyma
if in the phloem.

Aliform

Parenchyma -

Paratracheal
as seen in cross section.

extensions

parenchyma

with

wing-like

lateral

Apotracheal Parenchyma

or vessels.
Terminal

typically independent
of pores
- Axial parenchyma
See also Banded Parenchyma
, Diffuse Parenchyma
and
Parcnchyma
below.

Axial Parenchyma -

initials.
Banded

Parenchyma
cells derived
Cf. Ray Parenchyma
.
Parenchyma -

Axial parcnchyma

from the fusiform

forming

concentric

cambial

linen or bands

as seen in cross section.

NOTE-It
is termed as Apotracheal
and Paratracheal
Banded if associated

Conjluent Parenchyma

tangential

Coalesced aliform parenchyma

bands as seen in cross section.

Parenchyma -

to be grouped in short
Syn. Diffuse-Zonate
.
NOTE-This

tangential

type often occures

of the vessels

forming

irregular

Apotracheal
parenchyma
cells that tend
lines from ray as seen in cross section.

together

with reticulate

parenchyma.

Diguse Parenchyma -

buted irregularly

independent

or diagonal

LXJTuse-in-Aggregates

Banded if typically
with the vessels.

Single apotracheal
parenchyma
among fibres as seen in cross section.

strands or cell distri-

Initial Parenchyma - Apotracheal

parenchyma
the cells of which OCCUI
either singly or in more or less continuous
layer of variable width at the
beginning
of a seasons growth.
Cf. Terminal
Parenchyma
.
Paratracheal

vascular

Parenchyma

NOTE-This
parenchymas.

includes

Ray Parenchyma -

Radial

Axial parenchyma

associated

with the vessels or

tracheids.

Parenchyma

scanty

Parenchyma
.

paratracheal,

composing

31

vasicentric,

aliform

and

confluent

of rays wholly or in part.

Syn.

1s : 707 - 1976
Reticulate Parenchyma - A descriptive term for the net-like pattern formed
on the cross section by rays and regularly spaced bands or lines of axial
parenchyma,
when the bands or lines and the rays are of about the same
Cf. Scalariform
Parenchyma .
width and are same distance apart.
pattern
Scalariform
Parenchyma - A descriptive term for the ladder-like
formed on the cross section by rays and regularly spaced bands or lines of
axial parenchyma
when the latter are distinctly narrower than the rays.
Cf. Reticulate
Parenchyma
.
Scanty Paratracheal
chyma cells around

Parenchyma the vessels.

Incomplete

sheaths

of occasional

Terminal Parenchyma - Apotracheal

parenchyma
cells occurring
singly or forming a more or less continuous
layer of variable width
close of a seasons growth.
NOTE
-Before
a distinction
this term was used to include
convenience.

pareneither
at the

was made between terminal

and initial parenchyma
both forms and is still used in this sense as a term of

Vasicentric Parenchyma - Paratracheal

parenchyma
forming a complete
sheath around a vessel of variable width and circular or slightly oval in
cross section.
Particle - Distinct
particle or fraction
of wood or other lignocellulose
material produced mechanically
for use as the aggregate
for a particle
board.
lhis may be in the form of flake, granule, shaving, or splinter
or sliver.
Flake - Specially made thin flat particle, with the grain of the wood
essentially parallel to the surface of the flake, prepared with the cutting
action of the knife in a plane parallel to the grain but at an angle to the axis
of the fibre.
Granule - A particle in which the length, width and thickness are approximately equal, such as particles of saw-dust.
Shaving - A thin slice or strip of wood pared off with knife, plane or-other
cutting instrument, the knife action being approximately
along the axis of
the fibre, such as the shavings produced in planing the surface of wood.
S/dinter or Sliver - Particle of nearly square or rectangular
cross section
with a length parallel to the grain of the wood of at least four times the
thickness.
Particle Board - A board manufactured
lignocellulose material, for example, flakes,
splinters, agglomerated,
formed and pressed
binder together with one or more of the
moisture and a catalyst.

32

from particles of wood or other

granules, shavings and slivers or
together by use of an organic
agents, such as heat, pressure,

iS : 707- 1976
piece of sound veneer placed in and glued
Patch -A
which the defective portion has been removed.

to a veneer

from

It
tissue of the vascular plants.
Phloem - The principal food-conducting
occurs both as primary
and secondary
tissue and is usually,
but not
In the stems of most gymnosperms
and
invariably, associated with xylem.
dicotyledons
the secondary phloem is separated from the secondary xylem
The basic types of cells
from the cambium
from which it is derived,
of which it is composed are sieve elements, parenchyma
cells, fibres and
sclereids.
Pile - A structural member inserted into the ground, which transmits a
vertical load or lateral load to the subsoil through friction or end bearing
or a combination
of both.
Pit - A recess in the secondary wall of a cell,
closing membrane;
open internally to the lumen.
NOTE- Essential

components

of pit are the pit cavity

of resin between
Pitch Pocket - Accumulation
wood as seen on the crosss section.
Pitch Seam - An opening
containing resin.
Pitch Streak -

together
and

with its external

the pit membrane.

growth rings of coniferous

along the grain following

the growth

rings and

See Pitch Seam .

Pith -The
soft tissues found near about
central core of the tree ( see Fig. 1 ) .
Pith Flecks - Irregular
result of injury by insects.

patches

the centrc

of the log, also called

of soft tissues formed

Plain Sawn Timber - Wood so sawn that the tangential

on the surface of the plank.
Plank - A piece of sawn timber
the width exceeds 5 cm.
Plantation
Grown
or seedlings originally
seeds.

whose thickness

in the wood as a
face

does not exceed

5 cm but

Trees -Trees
raised in a plantation
from cuttings
taken out from a nursery or from direct sowing of

horizontal
member supported throughout
its length
Plate -A
vided for the purpose of distributing the load on a member.
Pleat - A defect due to a veneer being folded parallel
three thicknesses locally.

Plies - Individual

is exposed

veneers in plywood.

and pro-

to the grain forming

IS : 707 - 1976
Plywood - A board formed of three or more iayers of veneer cemented or
glued together, usually with the grain of adjacent veneers running
at right
angles to each other.
Pocket Rot -

A decay
sound wood.

apparently

limited

to pockets

or small

areas surrounded

by

Pole - A long, solid, straight trunk of a tree 10 to 30 cm in diameter

at
breast height and tapering gradually
to the top to a diameter
of about
10 cm or more.
Pore -A

vascular

term
tracheid.

NOTEThe
round holes.

Pore-Chain

pores

Pore-Cluster

of convenience
are

often

for the cross

visible

on

the

A series or line of adjacent

-

See Note under

Pore-hlultifde

flattened
along
single pore.

end

surface

solitary

Pore-Multiple

A group of two
the lines of contact

section

of a vessel
of hardwoods

or

of

as small,

pores.
.

or more pores crowded together

so as to appear as subdivisions

and
of a

No.~E - The most common type is a Radial Pore-Multiple

, in which the pores are
in radial series with flattened
tangential
wall between them.
Another
type is Poreis irregular.
Cluster , in which the grouping

Solitary Pore Porous Wood

Post -

fencing

A pore completely
-

See Pored

surrounded

Wood under

A general term for timber

or other structural
work.

by other elements.

Wood .

used in an upright

position

Pot Life -

adhesive

The time between the mixing of the constituent

and its reaching the age when it is no longer tsable.

Preservation

Treatment

of timber

with chemicals

in building,

parts

of an

so as to enhance

its

durability.
Primer

A n undercoat

given on the surface for subsequent

required.
Principal Rafter -

A roof member

which supports
34

purlins.

painting

where

IS : 707 - 1976

Q
Quarter-Sawn Timber on the surface of plank.

Woodso sawn

that the radial face is exposed

R
Rabbet -

See Rebate .

Radial Sawn Timber Rails -Horizontal

fencing.

See( Quarter-Sawn

members

of shutters

Timber .
of doors, windows,

panels or

Fence Rails - Hor&ntal

members in a fence to ensure a predesigned
protection which the, fence is expected to serve.

Random Sample - A sample drawn from a population of the individual

units ofwhich property is required, drawn in such a way that the selection
of the specimen has no influence on the property to be evaluated.
Ray - A ribbon-like
phloem.
NOTE-The
terms
parenchyma connecting

aggregate of cells extending radially in the xylem and

Medullary
the primary

Ray and Pith Ray

cortex with the pith.

are

now

restricted

to the

Rebate - A recess along the edge of a piece of timber to receive another

piece or a door, sash or frame.
Reconditioning - A high temperature
to remove collapse and excessive warp.

steaming

treatment

designed

Recovery - The quantity of converted timber of specified quality obtained

from a piece, expressed as a percentage of its volume, calculated according
to conventional practices.
Reeper -

Batten used in roof construction.

Rcain Canals - Special tubular cavities which contain gum or resin.

term mostly used in the case of non-porous timber.
Resin Pockets -

See Pitch Pocket .

Reaia

$ec Pitch Seam .

Strealrr

35

ISr707.1976
Wood in which the pores of early wood are
Ring Porous Wooddistinctly larger than those of the latewood and form a well-defined zone or
ring ( see Fig. 20 ).

Growth
Ring

Early
Wood

TEAK
(Tcctona

FIG. 20
Ripping -

Sawing

timber

grandis)

RING POROUSWOOD

lengthwise

along the grain.

Ripple Marks - Fine horizontal

striations visible on the tangential
longitudinal surfaces of certain woods, due to the storied arrangement
of the rays
or ofthe axial elements or of both.
Roofed Battens - A roof member directly
sheets, slates or other roofing material.
Rot -

supporting

tiles,

corrugated

See( Decay .

Round Timber Ruptured Grain -

Timber

in the original

See Torn

Grain

round

form.

.
S

Sap Stain -

Discolouration

of the sapwood

mainly

due to fungi.

Sapwood - The outer layers of the log, which in the growing tree contain
living cells and food material.
The sapwood is usually lighter in colour
and is readily attacked by insects and fungi ( see Fig. ! ).

36

IS : 707 - 1976

included
in the heartwood,
having
the
Included
Sapwood - Wood
Living cells are no longer present
appearance
and properties of sapwood.
Syn. Internal
as in normal sapwood but reserve materials may remain.
Sapwood .
Scantling

- A piece of timber whose cross-sectional

5 cm but do not exceed 20 cm in both directions.

dimensions

exceed

Scar - Depression in the surface of the bole, gcncrally

elliptical in shape,
the normal
resulting from wounds where healin, m has not re-established
cross section of the bole.
Scoring -

Mechanical

injury

in the form of long

scratches

or shallow

channels.
Scribe -

To shape the abutting

Seasoned

Timber

the specified minimum

end of a member

to the profile of another.

Timber whose moisture content has been reduced

under more or less controlled processes of drying.

to

Seasoning

-A
process involving
the reduction
of moisture
content
in
timber under more or less controlled
conditions
toward? or to an amount
suitable for the purpose for which it is to be used.
Shake -A

partial or complete separation

tissues as seen in end surfaces ( see Fig. 2 1 ) .

FIG. 21
Heart Shake -

Shakes occurring

Radial Shake -

A shake following

Ring Shake or Cup Shake Star Shake -

the appearance

between

adjoining

layers

of

SHAKE

at or near the pith ( centre heart ).

the medullary

An opening

rays.

along the growth

ring.

A number of shakes, occurrink at or near the pith and giving

of a star on the end of a piece.

37

IS : 707 - 1976
Shelf Life -The
period for which the adhesive or adhesive components
may be stored without affecting their suitability for use in accordance
with
the standard.
Shingle - A short, thin, rectangular
piece of timber, usually tapering in
thickness along the grain, used in the same way as tiles for covering the
roofs and sides of buildings.
Shooksdimensions

A set of components
of sawn timber ( or plywood ) of definite
intended to form a box, chest or crate.

Short Crook - A localized deviation from straightness which, within any

section of 1.5 m or less in length, is more than one half the mean diameter
of the crooked section.
Shrinkage -

The

reduction

in dimensions

of timber

which

takes place

during drying.

Single-Layer Particle Board graded density,

thickness.

made

essentially

Particle board, either homogeneous or of

of one kind of particle
throughout
its

Site Quality - A measure of the relative production capacity of a site for

The top height of the tree as it varies with the age is
a particular
species.
generally the basis for classification.
Sizing Material - Alum, wax, resin or other additive introduced to the
agglomerate
for a particle
board prior to forming, primarily to increase
water resistance.
Slab - The exterior portion of a log or baulk which is removed
in the process of converting it to a square-sawn timber.

by the saw

Slat - A long narrow thin strip of wood as used for crates, Venetian
cooling towers, pencils, etc.
Pencil .Slat - In
185 x 65 x 6 mm.

pencil

manufacture,

sawn

Sleeper-A
piece of timber used as transverse
railway lines, usually square sawn.

piece

of

support

blinds,

wood

about

under

rails in

to the longitudinal

axis of

NOTE- Sleepers are sometimes used for reconversion.

Slope of Grain -The

inclination

of the fibres

the member.

Slot-A
slot made around one end of a log to prevent
rope from slipping when the log is dragged.

the

method
of screwing
which leaves
Slot
Screwiog -A
to move in a slot to allow for expansion and contraction,

38

drag
the

chain

shank

or
free

IS : 107 ; 1976

snout

Pointed

Sokt Tissue

-See

end of the log when felling and logging is done by axe.

Parenchyma

Softwood - A conventional term used to denote the timber from conifers

and has no relationship with the physical properties of hardness or strength.
On account of the confusion this term can cause, its use is discouraged.
Sound Wood - Wood free from insect
sound knot exceeding 2 mm in diameter.
splints

Undipped

hole,

rot, loose knot,

match sticks prior to application

of chemical

dote and
head.

Split - A separation of fibres which extends from one face of a piece

wood to another and runs along the grain of the piece.
Closed Split -A
split in which the two adjacent
veneers are in close contact with each other.
End Split -

edges

A split at the end of a log or a piece of timber

Open Split-A
with each other.

split in which the adjacent

of

of the broken
or plywood.

edges are not in close contact

Spread of Adhesive - The area of surface covered by 0.5 kg of adhesive

mix prepared in accordance with the manufacturers
instructions.
Spring - Edgewise deviation
of a piece (see Fig. 22 ).

from a straight

Fro. 22

SPRINTS

line drawn

from end to end

fs : 707 - 1976
Spring Wood -

The early
of temperate climate.

timbers

Square -

Timber

wood in a growth

formed by slabbing

or variation
Staio --: Discolouration
cal reaction, fungi or other cause.

ring,

applicable

only to

a log on four sides.

from the natural

colour due to chemi-

Blue Stain - A type of sap stain bluish in colour.

Stave - A piece of sawn or split timber
to form part of a barrel.
Steam Bending steaming

process.

Stile -

A vertical

Bending
member

Storeyed or Storied when these arc arranged

timber

of a definite

to the required

dimension

intended

shape with the help

of

of shutter frame.

A term applied to the axial cells and rays in wood

in horizontal series on tangential surfaces.

NOTE-The term may be applied to particular

tissues, for example,
storied paren. The presence
chyma , or used in a general sense as in woods with storied structure
of storied structure
is the cause of the ripple marks visible with the unaided eye.

. Structural Timber or timber

used

or intended

Timber
for

used in framing and load bearing structure

in building
where strength is the primary

use

consideration.

Strut -

A strut is an intermediate
frame member parallel to pair of edge
used to relieve those edge members of some of their load.

members

Stump -

The basal portion

of a tree left at site after felling the tree.

Suitability Coefficient -A
numerical value attached to a timber giving
an idea about its suitability for particular
purpose.
Suitability
coefficients
are calculated from the physical and mechanical properties of the timber.
Summerwood timbers

of temperate

Surface Crack not extend beyond

Swirl -

The latewood
climate.

in

a growth

Shallow longitudinal
a depth of9.5 mm.

ring,

separation

applicable

only

of the fibres which

to
does

Seeunder Figure .
T

Tape - Strip of gummed paper or Gmilar material

the edges of a joint or split during manufacture.
Taper - Progressive
end to the top.

diminution

in girth

40

along

used to hold

the length

together

from the butt

tS : 707 - 1976
Tenon - A tongue iike projection
into a corresponding mortise.

on the end of a piece

of timber

to fit

Tension Wood -Abnormal

wood formed on the upper side of branches
and inclined stems of broad-leaved
trees, characterized
by gelatinous fibres.
Texture
elements.

Term

to

indicate

Coarse Texture -1ndicatcs

wood elements.

relative

large

size

&en Texture - Indicates little variation

elements.
Syn. Even Grain *.
Fine Texture elements.

Indicates

size

or

and

distribution

wide distribution

wood

or both

in size and distribution

small size or close distribution

Unevetl Texture - Indicates variability

elements.
Syn. Uneven Grain l.

of

or both

of sizes and distribution

of

of wood

of wood
of wood

Three-Layer
Particle Board - A particle board made of three layers of
particles and resin mix, usually with finer and thinner particles for the top
and bottom layers and coarser and bigger particles for the core layer.
A
three-layer
board rnay consist of core of one species and the outer layers of
another spccics.
Resin content in a three-layer board is usually higher .in
the face layers than in the core layer leading to a sandwich construction
with stronger and denser skin.
Three-Ply
Ties -

Plywood

An American

board

term for railway

A commercial

Timber

Timber

Ton -

made from three layers of veneer.

sleepers.

wood, often in converted

A volumetric

rupture
Torn Grain -A
resulting in rough surface.

measure

and

Tracheid
elements.

-An

Trunk -

The stem of a tree.

imperforate

lifting

wood

equivalent

41

to I.42 ma of timber.

of the surface

cell with

*The use of this term is deprecated.

form.

bordered

grain

of the wood

pits to congeneric

IS : 707- 1976
Twist -

A spiral distortion along the grain ( see Fig. 23 ).

Fro. 23

TWIST

Tylosis -An
outgrowth from an adjacent ray or axial parenchyma cell
through a pit cavity in a vessel wall partially or completely blocking the
vessel lumen.
NOTE- Tyloses may be a few or manycrowdedtogether, thin or thick walled,
ur unpitted, with or without starch, crystals, resins, gums, etc.

pitted

V
Veneer - A thin sheet of wood of uniform thickness obtained
rotary cutting or sawing.
Vertical Grain Timber - See Quarter-Sawn

by slicing,

Timber .

Vessel - An axial series of cells that have coalesced to form an articulated

tube-like structure of indeterminate length, whose pits to congeneric elements
,are bordered.
Syn. Trachea .
Vessel Lines - The vessels of wood seen on a longitudinal surface as thin
or thick grooves.

Volume, Void - In wood, any space unoccupied b)l wood substance,

42

IS : 707 - 1976
W
Wall Plate - A plate which rests directly upon a wall or offset to a wall
to receive and provide fixing for the ends of rafters or joists.
Wane - The original
of converted timber.

rounded

surface

of a tree remaining

Warp - A deviation in sawn timber from a true plane

tion due to stresses causing departure from a true plane.
Weathering

Effect

caused by exposure

Used in general

sense, whether

or distor-

to weather.

Wide-Ringed
- Applied to timber with
Syn. Coarse-Grown
. Cf. Narrow-Ringed
Wood -

surface,

on a piece

relatively
.

commercial

wide

growth

rings.

or not.

of
.Non-pored Wood -Wood
devoid of pores or vessels, characteristic
Syn. Non-porous Wood *.
Cf. Pored Wood .
conifers ( see Fig. 24 ).

Growth
Ring

Lorly
Wood

Resin
COnolS

DEODAR
(Qdrur

FIG. 24

The

deodaraj

NON-PORED WOOD

use of this term is deprecated.

43

IS : 707 0 1976
with vessels typical

Wood

Pored Wood -

of broad-leaved

trees.

Syn.

( Porous Wood *.
Reaction Wood - Wood with more or less distinctive anatomical
character,
formed typically in parts
leaning or crooked stems and in branches and
tending to restorethe original position if this has been disturbed.

of

NOTE

In dicotyledones this consists of tension wood and in conifers of compression

wood.

Wood

Preservation

Wood-Wool

See Preservation

See Excelsior

Wound - An injury inflicted

quently healed or occluded.

.
upon

the

growing

.tree

which

has subse-

X
Xylem - The principal strengthening
and water-conducting
tissue of stem
and roots, characterized
by the presence of tracheary elements.
xylem
differentiated
Primary Xylem - First-formed
meristem ( ordinarily at the edge of the pith ).
Secondary Xylem -

Wood produced

from

an

apical

by a cambium.
Y

Yield Stress -The

lowest stress at which
increases without increase of load.

*Tk- we of thie term is deprecated.

44

an extension

of the test piece

BUREAU

OF

Headquerters

INDIAN

STANDARDS

Manak Bhavan. 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. NEW DELHI 110002

Telephones
Regionel

Telegrams

331 I3 75
Offices :

: Manaksansttha

(Common to all Offices)

Telephone

: Manak Bhavan, 9, Bahadur Shah Zafer Marg

Central
l

: 331 01 31

331 01 31
I 331 13 75
37 86 62

NEW DELHI I 10002

Eastern
: I/I4 C.I.T. Scheme VII M.
V.I.P. Road, Maniktola, CALCUTTA 700054
Northern
: SC0 445-446, Sector 35-C, CHANDIGARH
160036
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: C.I.T. Campus, IV Cross Road, MADRAS 600113
Western
: Manakalava. E9 MIDC. Marol. Andheri (East),
BOMBAYb00093
Branch Offices :

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208005

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Estate, PATNA

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SRINAGAR
190011

Offices

(With

Sale Point)

5 38 27
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T. C. No. 14/1421,
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
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Inspection

55 40 21

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62 61 71

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Approach.

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,.

AMENDMENT

NO. 1 OCTOBER 1992

TO
IS 707 : 1976 GLOSSARY OF TERMS APPLICABLE
TIMBER TECHNOLOGY AND UTILIZATION

TO

( Second Revision )
( Page 6, Block Board ) -

Substitute tbe following for the existing

definition:
Blockboa@ - Blockboard is a board having a core made up of strips of wood,
each not exceding 30 mm in width which may or may not be glued together and
thecore is glued between two or more outer veneers, with the direction of grains
of the core blocks running at right angles to the direction of grains of the adjacent
veneers.

(CED9).
Printedu Doe KayPrinters,New DeIhi, India