Definition
Lumber cut from a log so that the annual growth rings run roughly perpendicular (close to 90°) to the wide face of each board. This cutting method produces wood that is more dimensionally stable, resists warping and splitting, and has a more uniform grain pattern than wood cut by other methods.
Plain English
Wood that has been sliced from the log in a specific way that makes the boards stronger, straighter, and less likely to twist or crack as they age. It is the preferred cut for aircraft structural wood.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft wood structure inspection, repair, and material selection, especially when checking whether wood stock is suitable for a structural part.
Derivation
From 'quarter' (because the log is first cut into quarters before being sliced) plus 'sawed' (cut with a saw). The name describes the method: each quarter of the log is sawed so the cuts run from the outer bark toward the center, giving boards with vertical grain.
Why Pilots Care
Quartersawed wood keeps its shape under changing humidity and loads, reducing the chance of structural distortion or failure in wooden airframes.
Intuition Check
Quartersawed does not simply mean the wood was cut into four pieces. Here it means the board was cut so the tree’s growth rings stand at a steep angle to the board’s face.
Example Sentence 1
The wing spar repair manual specifies quartersawed Sitka spruce to ensure the replacement section matches the strength and stability of the original structure.
Example Sentence 2
Only quartersawed wood was approved for the new rib caps to prevent future warping in the humid coastal climate.