Wood burns or natural marks?

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A joiner has shaped these post tops. They have marks going at right angles to the grain. At first I assumed the joiner had used an electric sander too intensely and that these were burns/scratches, but I've tried sanding (about 20 mins by hand with 120 grit paper) and they don't fade at all. Could they be natural markings in the wood?

Should I just accept them, or sand them a lot more, or something else? I'm going to stain the wood, so they'll be visible.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

As a French Polisher I feel fully qualified to answer this question LOL. Yes these are natural, it is the ‘grain’ of the wood. They just pronounced because you’re seeing it end on rather than face on, so no amount of sanding will change it. A word of caution if you’re going to stain it, because it is end grain, and due to the type of timber it will grab your stain and go very dark (in comparison to the same stain on the face of the timber). So, either coat it natural using a clear lacquer / varnish or use a very weak stain. If you wet it with methylated sprit, you will see the natural colour. Happy to help if you need any further advise.

Thanks. Just to confirm I'm talking about these marks that go in the opposite direction to the rest of the grain. You're saying they're also the grain? (See next post for new image)

(Image now attached)

Yes these are also natural, if these were on the face of the timber it would be seen as a knot

Yes. Normal.

Wood is a natural product and the joy of it is the little imperfections like this. Those are what make it unique and obviously real wood. It gives it character.

Great. Thanks for the help