Wood Logs...why

Reduction was done as a result of having a limited number of items that could exist in the code. Bloat by having logs, sticks, planks, ect was reduced. Same with ores.

And no, you aren't getting planks. It's just "resource wood".

Just think of “crafting” as sorting through a bunch of your wood pieces until you find a log that works. The icon looks like planks but it’s just “wood resource”. Lots of the middle steps are abstracted so getting a log is just sorting through several pieces of wood while making a building block includes (unseen) planing the rough cut wood into planks and fitting them together into the block.

Personally I think a thick rough cut branch would be a better icon that’s the planks.