What effect can crosscutting have on the appearance of finished wood?

Crosscutting involves cutting across the grain of wood, which can lead to the appearance of rough or frayed edges at the ends of the cut. This characteristic can affect the overall finish of the wood, as these rough edges may be more challenging to sand down smoothly or finish properly. Consequently, the visual impact of the finished product may not be as refined, as the rough edges can detract from the clean and polished look typically desired in woodworking. Therefore, understanding the effects of crosscutting is important for achieving the desired finish quality when working with wood.