Anatomy of wood as it relates to woodworking

Nearly all wood of interest to the woodworker is exogenous or outward-growing. These trees increase in girth each year by growing rings of new timber around the outside of the old. Some trees like bamboo and palm do not grow outward and are of little use to woodworkers.

The first step in choosing a wood type for your project is to understand that each wood species has its own degree of durability, beauty, natural color, and characteristics. It is interesting to note that the terms hardwood and softwood have almost nothing to do with how hard or soft their woods are!

Exogenuos trees are generally divided into broad-leaf and needle-leaf types. Most broad-leaf trees loose their leaves during the winter and most needle-leaf trees retain theirs.

Hardwood and Softwood

As far as most people are concerned, the broad-leaf (anglospermic) trees produce hardwoods. The needle-leaf (gymnospermic) trees produce softwoods. Hard and soft are not strictly correct descriptions for the physical properties of woods, although they are correct for the vast majority. In fact a few hardwoods are softer than softwoods. In general pines, firs, spruces, and others of that type are what the average woodworker handles as softwoods, while all the better woods used for furniture and quality work are hardwoods.

The classifications of hardwood and softwood refer to differences in structure that can only be seen with the aid of a microscope. Wood is made up of long cells that give it its fibrous nature. In softwoods there are large numbers of long spindle-shaped cells called tracheids. In hardwoods they are wider and arranged end to end, forming slender tubes.

Anatomy of wood as it relates to woodworking

Your information is NEVER shared with anyone.

Live - Auction Listings!

© 2006 Lumberpost.com All rights reserved.

Partner Sites

IDA Express | FrancoConnection | Gardening Warehouse Direct