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Other
defects and effects
Other factors that may affect log quality
for sawn timber are: rot, insect tunnels, unusual grain patterns,
fungal infection, kino veins, resin pockets and fire scares.
Although some of these may enhance the appearance of the timber
for use in crafts or designer furniture, they rarely enhance
log value. Where it is possible to see that a particular log
has an interesting grain pattern at the time of harvest, such
as fiddleback or birdseye, it may be worth separating it for
sale to a sawmiller who is able to take advantage of the timber’s
unique qualities.
Millers are very reluctant to buy or saw timber if they suspect
there is any foreign material embedded in the tree. Fencing
wire, electrical insulators, horseshoes or nails, metal and
other solid materials present a great risk to safety and milling
equipment. In some cases logs are scanned with metal detectors
before milling.
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