Abstract: A metal end plate for a wood product including a plurality of elongated teeth protruding substantially transversely from the intermediate portion of the plate and a plurality of elongated teeth protruding substantially transversely from at least two opposed edges of the plate. These edge teeth are located such that, when the teeth are pressed into the end of a wood product, they engage the wood fibers near the outer perimeter of the end of wood product to provide restraining force at the perimeter of the end of the wood product to prevent large splits or cracks from forming or reappearing. In a preferred embodiment, the edge teeth engage the wood fibers within about 1/2 inch of the edge of the end of the wood product. Also, in a preferred embodiment the length of the edge teeth is on the order of 17/32 inch for average density wood and longer for wood of low density.