ALL ABOUT WOOD

Hardwood and softwood are two categories of wood that are distinguished based on their physical
characteristic and the type of trees they come from.

(1) HARDWOOD are angiosperm trees.

– comes from deciduous trees, which are trees that sheds their leaves annually.
– generally denser, harder and more durable than softwood
– commonly used for furniture flooring, cabinetry, and decorative items
– EXAMPLES: oak, mahogany, maple walnut, & cherry

(2) SOFTWOOD are gymnosperm trees.

– comes from coniferous trees, which are trees that have needle-like or scale-like leaves and
bear cones.
– generally less dense and less hard than hardwood
– commonly used for framing, construction, decking and paper production
– EXAMPLES: pine, spruce, cedar, fir and cypress.

Note: The terms "hardwood" and "softwood" can be sometimes misleading as some hardwoods are softer
than softwoods. The classification is based on the type of wood rather than the actual hardness of wood.

ADDITIONAL INFO

HARDWOOD has a complex structure with pores and vessels that give it a unique grain pattern.

• Darker color • Last for several decades

• Heavy • Natural weather resistance
• More expensive • More environmental impact

SOFTWOOD has a simpler structure with long fibers and lacks the complex grain pattern found in
hardwood.

• Lighter color • Last for over a decade

• Lighter weight • Weather resistant when treated
• Less expensive • Less environmental impact
STRUCTURES OF WOOD

1. PITH – it is the central, cylindrical care of a tree trunk.

– is the innermost part of the tree and is typically softer

and less dense than the surrounding wood.

2. HEARTWOOD – the central layer/portion, darker and composed

of xylem cells that are no longer active in the
life process of the trees.
– primary function is to provide structural
support to the tree
3. SAPWOOD – the lighter area surrounding the heartwood, contains actively conducting xylem cells,
& has high Moisture content.
– main function is to transport water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves

NOTE: The presence and characteristic of pith, heartwood and sapwood can vary depending on the tree
species, age and environmental conditions.

ADDITIONAL INFO

1. As the tree grows, the pith becomes less active and may eventually decay or less prominent.

2. The heartwood also contributes to the distinctive appearance and color of the wood.

– darker, harder part of a tree which is dead.

3. Sapwood is most susceptible to decay, insect infestation and moisture

– related issues compared to the heartwood

– moist, light, living layer closest to the edge of the tree.

NATURAL DEFECTS

1) KNOTS – are areas of the wood where branches have grown, they appear as circular or oval-shaped dark
spots in the word.

– can affect the strength and appearance of wood. 2) SHAKE - refers to the separation of wood
fibers along the grain. It can be caused by internal stresses or external stresses / factors like
wind or drying.
– shakes can weaken the wood and affect its structural integrity

3) WANE – occurs when the outer edges of the wood contain bark on the surface is uneven. It happens
when the wood is out from the outer portion of the tree.

– can affect appearance and reduce the usable area of the tree /wood.

4) INSECT HOLES – these are small opening in the wood caused by wood boring insects like beetles &
termites.

– these holes can weaken the wood and make it susceptible to further damage.
SEASONING DEFECTS

1) WARP – refers to the distortion of wood due to uneven drying or changes in moisture that occurs during
drying process.
– it causes the wood to bow, crook, twist, or cup- affecting its shape & usability.

2) STAINS – are discoloration of the wood's surface. caused by fungi or other factors during the seasoning
process.
– can be brown, blue or black. They may indicate decay or fungal growth and can reduce the
aesthetic of the wood.

3) HONEY COMBING – is a defect where the wood develops cavities or voids within its structure during the
drying process. It occurs when the wood dries to quickly or when it looses moisture
unevenly.

– it can result to rough and porous surface. 4. CASE HARDENING - is a defect that
occurs during the drying process. It happens when the outer layer of the wood dry
than inner layers.

– this results in cracking or splitting, affecting its strength usability.

NOTE: Proper drying techniques and controlled environment are crucial to minimize seasoning defects.
Proper stacking, ventilation, and monitoring of moisture level during the drying process are important to
prevent these defects.

It is important to note that some defects may be inherent to the wood species or may occur due
to improper handling or storage.

APPEARANCES OF WARP

BOW CUP TWIST CROOK

PROPERTIES OF WOOD

• COLOR - Varies from color yellow, green, red, brown, black and nearly pure white.

- it can be influence by factors such as species, age and treatment

• LUSTER - have different levels of luster ranging from dull. matte finish to a glossy shine. Can be affected
by the type of wood and the finish applied to it

• ODOR - some types of wood have distinct odors, which can range from pleasant to strong and pungent.
The odor can vary depending on the species and the condition of wood.

•HARDNESS - wood hardness refers to its resistance to indentation or scratching. Different woods have
different revels of hardness. It can affect the durability of suitability of wood for different
application.

• WORKABILITY - refers to how easy it can be shaped, cut, or joined. Factors affecting workability such as
their grain pattern, density of moisture content.

• WARPING - the tendency to deform when exposed to changes in moisture or temperature.

• SHRINKING & SWELLING - wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity and moisture
levels. This affects dimensions and stability.

• MOISTURE CONTENT - refers to the amount of water present in the wood fibers. It is an important factor
that affects the strength Stability and workability of wood.

- MOISTURE METER are commonly used to measure the moisture content of wood.

• SPECIFIC GRAVITY - is the measure of the density the wood compared to the density of water. It provides
an indication of the weight and Strength of the wood.

• DENSITY - refers to the mass of wood per unit volume. It is a measure of how compact the wood fibers
are. Density an affect the strength, durability and sound insulating properties of wood.

• WEIGHT - varies depending on the species and its moisture content. The weight of the wood can impact
its case of handling, transportation and use in different application.

SEASONING – is the process of drying wood from the green lumber state to the recommended moisture
content desired for finished lumber.

METHODS OF LUMBER SEASONING

1) AIR DRYING - allowing moisture to evaporate naturally from the wood.

2) KILN DRYING - Drying wood in a controlled environment.

3) DEHUMIDIFICATION - using dehumidifier to remove moisture.

4 SOLAR KILNS - using Golar energy to dry woods.

MORE DEFINITION ON METHODS OF LUMBER SEASONING

1) Air Drying- this method involves stacking the lumber in a well-ventilated area allowing natural air
circulation. to dry the woods over time. It is slower process compared to other methods but it is often
used for outdoor projects or when time is not a constraint.

2.) Kiln Drying- is a controlled process that uses artificial heat and humidity to accelerate the drying of
wood. The lumber is placed on a kiln, and temp & humidity levels are carefully controlled to achieve the
desired moisture content. Kiln Drying is faster than air drying and allows more precise control over drying
process.

3) Dehumidification- is a variation of Kiln drying that uses a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air
inside the kiln. This method is particularly useful in areas with high humidity level. It is more-energy
efficient process compared to traditional kiln.

4) Solar kilns- utilize heat from the sun to dry the wood. These kilns have a transparent roof and walls that
allow sunlight to enter and heat the air inside. Solar kilns are environment friendly option and can be cost-
effective in regions with ample of sunlight.

NOTE: Each method has its advantage and is chosen based on factors such as the type of wood desired
drying time & available resources.

SOFTWOOD

• pine, spruce, cedar

HARDWOOD

• oak, mahogany, maple