CHAPTER V. 
ON THE DEFECTS IN TREES — ( Continued ). 
THE next important defect is the star-shake (Fig. n). 
This is found in many varieties of timber, and occurs in 
trees of all ages and conditions of growth. It consists 
of clefts radiating from the centre, or pith, which often 
extend far towards—and even in bad cases touch—the 
circumference of the 
tree, rendering it al¬ 
most valuelessfor con¬ 
version into board and 
small scantlings. 
The clefts or lines 
forming the star are 
generally only slightly 
open, and can scarcely 
be seen in a fresh-cut 
tree, there being no 
decay of lignine about 
them. They are, how¬ 
ever, very plainly perceptible when the wood is moder¬ 
ately seasoned, by the matter forming the two sides of 
the shake having become somewhat darker in colour and 
more horny in texture by exposure to the air. 
As before stated, in bad cases the points touch the 
circumference of the tree ; they even occasionally bulge 
there, forming a longitudinal rib, vaiying in length from 
