Introducing Wood Anatomy
Tree anatomy differs between softwoods and hardwoods, making it useful as a guide to identifying different species.
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Wood Anatomy: Hardwoods
Unlike softwoods, hardwood anatomy includes transport vessel cells, to move sap and air through the tree.
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Using Correct Names
Tree species are known by a variety of regional, trade, and scientific names, which can cause confusion. Using the correct names, in an unambiguous way, is essential to specify the correct species and ensure it is supplied.
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Tree Species
Thanks to the variety of different tree species globally, timber can vary in colour, density, and performance depending on its source. These variations in timber due to species determine the suitability for different construction uses.
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Identifying Wood: Hardwoods
Common hardwood species are identified by observing the pores in the cross-section, the visibility and size of rays, and any indications of pith flecks or low density.
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Introducing Wood Identification
Many tree species can be identified by their differing anatomies. Softwoods, hardwoods, and wood-producing monocots show different physical features, enabling the wood of individual tree species to be distinguished based on anatomy.
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Identifying Wood: Softwoods
Growth rings, wood colour, and differences between earlywood and latewood all help to identify different species of softwoods.
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Wood Decaying Organisms
Some organisms use wood as a food source, including insects and fungi. Protecting timber requires an understanding of insect and fungi species, their respective life cycles, and the conditions these organisms need to thrive.
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Timber Sizes and Tolerances
While timber can be any size permitted by the raw material’s dimensions, there are customary sizes that are most widely available, most often used, and suitable for the vast majority of uses.
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