What Are Growth Rings?
The growth rings in the end grain tell you a lot about the post you’re buying.
Centered growth rings — where the rings form a “bulls-eye” in the middle of the post — indicate the post is made from peeler core and generally won’t accept pressure treatment well. Off-center rings mean the post is not the log’s center and is usually more stable.
How to Inspect 4×4 Lumber
When you’re at the home center or lumberyard, don’t just grab the first posts in the stack. Take a few moments to inspect them carefully:
- Look at the end grain: Avoid posts where the end grain looks like a bulls-eye (center pith). Those are likely peeler-core posts.
- Check for straightness: Sight down the length of the post from both ends and choose the straightest ones you can find.
- Minimize center pith: Prefer posts where the growth rings are off-center and you see less obvious pith in the middle.
Examine the stack of posts and reject any with obvious twisting, bowing, or severe checking (cracks). The more selective you are here, the better your finished project will age.
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