Indented growth rings in the form of elongated or lenticular depressions are termed "bear scratches". Bear scratches occur most commonly in Sitka spruce and Douglas fir. The term is derived from the appearance of lighter colored tissues that form longitudinal streaks on the tangential face. For many years, such streaks were thought to be caused by animal claw injury.

This is a figure on wood, usually maple and a few other species. The figure is composed of many small BB-sized, rounded areas resembling a bird's eye.

This is a bulge and irregular growth that forms on the trunks and roots of trees. Burls are highly sought after for the incredible patterns the wood yield.

This is a piece of wood taken from the fork of a tree. Crotch wood is highly valued for its figuring.

This is a decorative wood figure caused by wavy grain. Fiddleback wood is prized for this distinctive characteristic.

Figure is a term applied to certain patterns formed naturally in wood; it may be enhanced by specialized cutting techniques that accentuate normal markings. Many types of figure are described as optical illusions normally perceived by viewers. Figure also may be caused by uneven coloration resulting from pigmentation in wood.

This is the size, alignment and color of wood fibers in a piece of wood. More specifically, grain is a term used to describe the alignment of wood elements in relation to the longitudinal axis. Wood is considered to have straight grain when elements are parallel to the longitudinal axis. When elements are sloped, wood is described as spiral grained. Undulations in wood elements are responsible for wavy or curly grain.

This is the dead inner core of a tree. It is usually much harder and darker than the newer wood.

This is the measure of the amount of water in a piece of wood. Green wood (see above), has a much higher moisture content than older dead wood.

Also referred to as "Virgin Timber", this is old, naturally established trees often characterized by dense straight grain and lack of knots and defects.

This refers to the soft center of the tree.

This is a method of cutting lumber where the annual rings are relatively perpendicular to the face of the board Quarter-sawn lumber tends to be more dimensionally stable than other forms of lumber.

This is a ribbon-like figure caused by strands of cells which extend across the grain in quarter-sawn lumber.

Figure occasionally results from cutting wood so that rays are parallel to the wide face where a series of shiny, light-reflecting surfaces are formed. These are known as ray flecks. In such woods as the oaks and sycamores, ray flecks are very pronounced and exhibit typical patterns. Ray flecks are present in all woods and reach their greatest development in sections that are quarter sawn or sliced. They do not contribute materially to figure other than to produce a lustrous surface. However, some woods may exhibit conspicuous mottled figure caused by extra large rays.

This is the living, outer zone of wood, next to the bark. In the living tree it contains some living cells (the heartwood contains none), as well as dead and dying cells. In most species, it is lighter colored than the heartwood. In all species, it is lacking in decay resistance.

This is the beginning stages of decay and a wood coloration mechanism, usually set on by legions of insects, accompanied by microbes (fungi).

This is a term used to classify relative size of wood elements. Texture is often confused with grain. Coarse textured woods are often described as "open-grained", they, therefore, require a filler in finishing. Such woods properly should be called coarse textured. "Fine grained" woods, similarly, should be called fine textured.