A method has been developed to determine and record accurately the orientation of the annual rings for sawn boards in which the annual rings possess appreciable curvature. The orientation can be unambiguously defined in terms of two coordinates, a radius and an angle, both of which can be measured with a transparent overlay. A third coordinate, the ring width or the number of rings per inch, should also be specified for completeness. The three coordinates can be used in the computer analysis of experimental data from such diverse areas of timber research as shrinkage distortion, warp, preservative impregnation, drying rate, and strength. -- AATA