What is a butt scar?

What is a butt scar?

• A. A surface scratch.
• B. A measurement at stem indicating age.
• C. A triangular-shaped gap at the base of the bole, which can be ignored if logs can be cut above the scar.
• D. A fungal infection near base.

Answer: (C)

A butt scar is a base-level defect in a tree that shows up as a triangular-shaped gap at the bottom of the bole. It forms when the base is wounded and heals, leaving a distinct scar at the base. In lumber grading, this scar can be ignored if you can saw the log above it, so the usable length isn’t reduced by the scar. This isn’t simply a surface scratch, nor a method for dating the tree, and it isn’t a fungal infection at the base.

A butt scar is a base-level defect in a tree that shows up as a triangular-shaped gap at the bottom of the bole. It forms when the base is wounded and heals, leaving a distinct scar at the base. In lumber grading, this scar can be ignored if you can saw the log above it, so the usable length isn’t reduced by the scar. This isn’t simply a surface scratch, nor a method for dating the tree, and it isn’t a fungal infection at the base.