Wood as Raw Material

Prologue

Introduction

References

Chapter 1. Forest Trees as Sources of Wood

Botanical Classification

Geographical Distribution

Commercial Importance

Utilization of Individual Trees

References

Chapter 2. Macroscopic Characteristics of Wood

Characteristics of a Transverse Surface

Characteristics of Radial and Tangential Surfaces

References

Chapter 3. Physical Characteristics of Wood

Color

Luster

Odor

Taste

Texture, Grain, and Figure

Weight and Hardness

References

Chapter 4. Wood under the Microscope

General Appearance of Individual Wood Cells

Wood Tissue: Cell Lumina, Walls, and Cementing Substance

Structure and Arrangement of Pits

Description of Cell Types

Tracheids

Vessel Members

Vascular and Vasicentric Tracheids

Parenchyma

Fibers

Intercellular Canals

References

Chapter 5. Chemical Composition and Ultrastructure of Wood

Elementary Chemical Composition

Organic Components of Wood

Extractives

Ultrastructural Architecture of Wood

Microfibrils and their Structure

Orientation of Microfibrils: Cell-Wall Layers

Spiral Thickenings

Ultrastructure of Pits

The Warty Layer

Ultrastructure of Tyloses

Distribution of Chemical Components in Cell Walls

Effects of Chemical Components on Wood Properties and Uses

Biological Aspects

References

Chapter 6. The Mechanism of Wood Formation

Primary Growth

Secondary Growth

Cell Development

References

Chapter 7. Formation and Structure of the Bark

Formation and Function of Periderms

Inner and Outer Bark

Cellular Structure

a. Cellular Structure in the Bark of Softwoods

b. Cellular Structure in the Bark of Hardwoods

c. Changes in Cellular Structure

Lignification in Bark Cells

Growth Increments in Bark

References

Chapter 8. Tree Growth and Variation of Wood Structure

Variation Within a Tree

a. Horizontal Variation

b. Vertical Variation

Factors Affecting Variation within a Tree

Variation between Trees

Quality Control

References

Chapter 9. the Wood of Branches and Roots

The Wood of Branches

The Wood of Roots

References

Chapter 10. Abnormalities in Wood


1. Growth Abnormalities

a. Deviations from Typical Tree Form

b. Spiral Grain and Other Grain Deviations

c. Abnormal Arrangement of Growth Rings

d. Reaction Wood: Compression Wood and Tension Wood

e. Disruption of the Continuity of Inner Wood Tissues

f. Abnormal Color

g. Abnormalities Due to Wounding

h. Abnormalities Due to Atomic Radiation


2. Natural Growth Characteristics

a. Knots

b. Pith

References

Chapter 11. Degradation of Wood


1. Bacterial Attack


2. Fungal Attack

a. Stains

b. Decay


3. Attack by Insects


4. Attack by Marine Organisms


5. Fire


6. Degradation by Chemicals


7. Degradation in Drying


8. Weathering


9. Mechanical Wear

References

Chapter 12. Identification of Wood


1. Macroscopic Key to North American Softwoods with Resin Canals


2. Macroscopic Key to North American Pines


3. Macroscopic Key to North American Softwoods without Resin Canals


4. Microscopic Key to North American Softwoods


5. Microscopic Key to North American Pines


6. Key to North American Ring-Porous Hardwoods


7. Key to North American Diffuse-Porous Hardwoods


8. Macroscopic Key to European Softwoods


9. Microscopic Key to European Softwoods


10. Macroscopic Key to European Pines


11. Microscopic Key to European Pines


12. Key to European Ring-Porous Hardwoods


13. Key to European Diffuse-Porous Hardwoods

References

Appendix: Techniques for Microscopic Investigation of Wood

Light Microscopy

Sample Preparation

Microscopic Measurements

Photomicrography

Electron Microscopy

Sample Preparation

Other Microtechniques

References

English and Metric System Equivalents

Index