Which term refers to wooden peg pins used in timber framing?

• A. Dowels
• B. Trunnels
• C. Wooden pegs
• D. Pins

Answer: (B)

In timber framing, the peg used to lock mortise-and-tenon joints is called a trunnel. These wooden pegs, also known as treenails, are driven through holes that pass through all the pieces of a joint, pulling them tight as the wood swells with moisture. This makes the joint strong and permanent, a hallmark of traditional timber-frame construction. The term is specific to this type of fastener used in framing, distinguishing it from generic dowels, wooden pegs, or pins that aren’t part of the standard structural method in timber framing.