in timber any feature (whether intrinsic, e.g., knots, or developing later, e.g., crooks, conks, decay, splits, sweep, bad sawing, or injury) that lowers the utility or commercial value of timber and may therefore lead to lower grade or rejection as a cull —note 1. whether a particular feature is classed as a blemish, imperfection, or defect depends on the relevant specifications or grading rules, or the purpose for which the timber is intended —note 2. a sound defect is one free from decay This definition last updated 07/29/2008