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The timber obtained from trees is cut into suitable commercial sizes and shapes for various engineering purposes. Some of the common market forms of timber are listed below.
Contents:
Market Forms of Timber
Following are the different forms of timber available in the market.
- Log
- Balk
- Board
- Batten
- Plank
- Pole
- Deal
- Scantling
- End
- Quartering
1. Log
The trunk of a dead tree obtained after removal of branches is called log. It can be converted into any other or required form of timber.
![Timber Logs](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Logs-641x380.jpg)
2. Balk
Balk is a roughly square-shaped piece of timber obtained by removing the bark and sapwood from the timber log. The general cross-sectional dimensions of balk are greater than 50 mm x 50 mm and its length may be greater than 200 mm.
![Baulk Timber Beams](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Baulk-Timber-Beams-465x380.jpg)
3. Batten
Batten is a piece of timber which is rectangular in its cross-section. Its thickness lies between 50 to 100 mm and breadth varies from 125 mm to 175 mm.
![Timber Batten](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Batten-416x380.jpg)
4. Plank
A plank is a piece of timber whose thickness is less than 50 mm and breadth is greater than 50 mm.
![Timber Planks](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Planks-433x380.jpg)
5. Board
A timber is called board when its thickness is less than 50 mm and breadth is greater than 150 mm.
![Timber Boards](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Boards-480x380.jpg)
6. Pole
A pole is a round-shaped long piece of timber. The maximum diameter of a pole is about 200 mm. It is also called as a spar.
![Timber Poles](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Poles-616x380.jpg)
7. Deal
A Deal is a converted form of softwood log. It is generally rectangular in cross-section. The thickness of deal varies from 50 mm to 100 mm and breadth is limited up to 250 mm.
![Timber Deal](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Deal-400x380.jpg)
8. Scantling
Scantlings are the pieces of timber with nonstandard sizes. These are sawn out timber to a required size depending upon the work. The shape of the cross-section also changes according to the requirement. However, In general, the length of scantling is limited to 200 mm.
![Timber Scantlings](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Scantlings.jpg)
9. Quartering
Quartering is a square piece of timber. Its length varies from 50mm to 150mm.
![Timber Quartering](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Quartering-405x380.jpg)
10. End
The short pieces of battens, deals, scantlings, poles, quartering, etc. are called as ends.
![Timber Ends](https://test.theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Timber-Ends.jpg)