Uses of Wood
– Fuel source
– Construction material
– Tools and weapons
– Furniture
– Paper production
Global Forest Stock
– In 2020, global forest stock was approximately 557 billion cubic meters
– Wood is a renewable resource
– Carbon-neutral material
– Intense interest as a source of renewable energy
– Dominant uses are furniture and building construction
History of Wood
– Earliest known plants to have grown wood existed 395 to 400 million years ago
– Wood can be dated using carbon dating and dendrochronology
– Wood has been used for thousands of years for various purposes
– Longhouses in Neolithic Europe were primarily made of wood
– Recent use of wood incorporates steel and bronze into construction
Physical Properties of Wood
– Wood undergoes secondary growth, resulting in the formation of new woody layers
– Growth rings indicate annual or seasonal patterns of growth
– Distinctiveness of growth rings depends on the seasons and climate
– Variation in tree-ring widths and isotopic abundances provides clues to past climates
– Different wood types exhibit major differences in growth patterns
Knots in Wood
– Knots are formed from the base of a side branch or a dormant bud
– Knots affect the technical properties of wood, reducing tension strength
– Knots can be visually appealing and exploited for aesthetic purposes
– Knots weaken timber and lower its structural value
– Position, size, number, and condition of knots determine their impact on wood strength
