Following are the characteristics or qualities of a good timber: (a) Appearance: A freshly cut surface of timber should have hard and shining appearance. (b) Colour: The colour of timber should be dark light colour usually indicates timber with low strength. (c) Smell: A good timber should have sweet. An unpleasant smell indicates decayed timber. (d) Defects: A good timber should be free from serious defects such as knots, flaws, shakes, etc. (e) Sound: A good timber should given out a clear ringing sound when struck. A dull heavy sound, when struck indicates decayed timber (f) Structure: It should be uniform. The fibres should be firmly added. The medullary rays should be hard and compact. The annual rings should be regular and they should be closely located. (g) Strength: A good timber should be strong for working as structural member such as joist, beam, rafter, etc. It should be capable of taking loads slowly or suddenly. It should also possess enough strength in direct and tr...