What is a common defect in cherry logs that causes brown streaks in veneer?

• A. Fungal staining
• B. Ring-porous discoloration
• C. Tear drops caused by gum deposits
• D. Mineral staining

Answer: (C)

The defect being tested is tied to gum deposits in cherry logs. Cherry wood often contains gum pockets, and when logs are peeled into veneer and then dried, these gums can exude and migrate to the surface, forming small tear-shaped streaks that appear brown along the grain. This yields the characteristic brown “tear drops” seen in cherry veneer. It’s distinct from fungal staining (which comes from decay-causing fungi), ring-porous discoloration (a pattern related to the wood’s pore structure, not gum movement), or mineral staining (caused by minerals and usually shows different color patterns). So, tear drops caused by gum deposits best explains brown streaks in cherry veneer.