@buildtomade: SAVE THIS: which 2x4 (or stud) shall I grab? Check the end grain. It depends on what you’re trying to do, weighed by cost and function. The truth: get creative in how to use wood by mixing and matching due to finite resources.  But keep this in mind. Lumber is cut in three ways: Plain: very common because it’s easy to cut and cheaper for mills but prone to warping, twisting, cupping; it expands/contracts easily with humidity.  Quarter sawn: cut perpendicular to growth rings, making it stable and stronger; great for framing key areas. If you get lucky and find one, center of trees are recommended for king studs. Rift sawn: the most stable with a uniform grain, but expensive due to waste produced.