BLEMISHES IX OAK, BEECH, AND CHESTNUT. 
73 
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in oak (present in specimens of 14 of the 19 species examined) 
effectually spoil the wood for tight cooperage, one of its most 
valuable uses. 
White-oak lumber is extensively used for ornamental purposes 
and yields the largest returns when so used. It is very carefully 
graded, and the inspection rides of the National Hardwood Lumber 
Association specify that "stains and streaks in 'oak are a serious 
defect, and inspectors are cautioned to be careful in estimating their 
damage to pieces, as ofttimes they will reduce them below the grade 
of firsts and seconds." Reduction in grade means the loss of about 
30 per cent from the best selling price. A great deal of wliite oak is 
cut into veneers for fmisliing purposes, and knots and stains are 
very objectionable. At a veneer plant in Winston Salem, N. C, 
visited by the writer, all the material showing sapsucker work was 
found among the lowest grade or cull stuff. 
Although the cause of the defects was unknown 
to the millmen, it was evident that blemishes 
due to sapsucker work are incompatible with 
high quality in white-oak veneer. 
Beech (Fagus grandifolia) . — A piece of tins 
wood winch is not large enough to include the 
original wounds shows a distinct curl in the 
wood. The bark has healed with a strong in- 
ward projection, which has produced a depres- 
sion in each new wood layer. The original 
sapsucker holes were from a fourth to half an 
inch apart, but the ridge on the inner side of 
the bark is continuous, with slightly elevated 
tubercles under the punctures. In such a case, 
if the sapsucker work is old and many annual 
rings have been curled, so that the stains can 
be avoided in sawing the wood, the effect of the bird's work is to 
enhance the value of the wood for ornamental purposes. However, 
unless these conditions are met, ornamental features do not mitigate 
the effect of certain blemishes that are produced. Gnarly growth 
takes place at the original wound, which is only partly filled and is 
surrounded by very black stain. A lighter brown stain also extends 
some distance along the grain. These blemishes are so decided that 
they would certainty be cause for lowering one or more grades the 
lumber cut from this tree. (Specimens from Morgantown, W. Va.) 
Chestxut (Castanea dentata). — Sapsucker work in chestnut pro- 
duces large (three-fourths by one-fourth inch) cavities, black stained, 
and partly filled by loose, black, knotty growth (fig. 22 and PL IX, 
fig. 8.) The wood is weakened by these cavities, as is shown by its 
i 
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Fig. 22.— Effects of sapsucker 
work on wood of chestnut 
( Castanea dentata). Large 
gnarly checks. (From Hop- 
kins.) 
