Shakes (timber)

Due to the immense strength of the oak beams, they are not a cause for concern in a properly engineered building, and are considered part of the charm of the style.

In the majority of cases of shake, the underlying cause is a weakening of the wood due to action by anaerobic bacteria which have entered the tree stem through the root system.

[2] Research suggests that shakes develop due to natural stresses in wood which has been weakened by bacterial degradation of the middle-lamella between cells.

Frost shake begins on the outside where moisture from rain or other means has penetrated, and freezes, causing damage to the wood on the inside.

A Thunder Shake, also known as an Upset, is a natural defect in wood that is across the grain and hard to detect until the boards are being planed.