Theory Lesson WOOD

Wood

Soft wood : Coniferous, Larch. Spruce, scots Pine, Douglas Fir

• Evergreens
• Grows faster

Hardwoods: Deciduous, Ash, oak, Beach, Teak, Walknut

• Slower growing,
• Leaves
• Expensive

Structure of wood:

• Wood is fibrous with fiber running along the length.
• Full of moisture.

Harvesting:

• Cutting down the tree.

Conversion:

• cutting the trunk
• Slab sawn, use of the whole tree, more likely to bend and warp
• Quarter sawn, lots of excess wodd not being used. less likely to deform over time.

Seasoning:

• Reducing moisture content, 70% of a tree is made up of water
• Natural
• Kiln seasoning

Board Preparation:

• Sawing to size.
• Planed all round, PAR
• Quarter Sawn.

Properties!

• Physical strength: Timber is a much stronger along the grain than across it.
• Aesthetic properties: Colour, Complex or simple grain structure.
• Moisture content: Shrinkage, Timber movement
• Protection: Dry and wet rot; insect attack.
• Operating conditions: Where will the time be used?
• Cost: Hardwood = expensive softwood = cheaper.
• Sustainability: using timber for sustainable sources.
• Sizes of board: wood can come in a variety of different sizes.

FSC: Forestry Stewardship Council, Tree protection agency.