THE STRUCTURAL AND GROSS

FEATURES OF WOOD

EXERCISE NUMBER 1

Dadios, Shana May Joy L.

Dela Cruz, Mathew A.
Hernandez, Jonel O.
Magboo, Precious Sarah A.
Sy, John Alfred C.

GH- 3L

DATE PERFORMED: AUGUST 28, 2018

DATE SUBMITTED: SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
 INTRODUCTION

Trees are one of the important renewable resources that we have. A man can get a lot of
benefits from a single tree and one of these is wood. It is very necessary to know the features of a
wood from a certain species. Wood is the xylem tissue that forms the bulk of the stem of a
woody plant (The Columbia Encyclopedia) or the hard fibrous material that forms the main
substance of the trunk of a tree. It is widely known for everyone; it is commonly seen as in
wood-frame houses and furniture; newspapers, books, and magazines; bridges and railroad ties;
fence post and utility poles; fuel wood; textile fabrics; and organic chemicals. Wood also
supplies raw materials for products such as lumber, plywood, wood pallets, fiber for paper,
paperboard, fiberboard panels, rayon, and acetate; some are for construction purposes and for
making furniture. Wood is also a major carbon sink that sequesters excess carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere. The demand for wood as a good source of renewable energy, building and pulp and
paper will quickly increase with the predicted increase of the world population (Mauriat et. al.
2014).
With enough knowledge on the species to be utilized, it will benefit the user and/or
consumer and may prevent from harm that can be caused by the inappropriate use of species.
Also, with the proper knowledge about the features of a species, it will give the species the
proper valuation and the appropriate use for the species. Different features of the wood will give
different benefits for its usage. Each species differs from one another, there are species that are
appropriate for building and there are also species that will be very dangerous when used for
construction. Knowing the features of a wood from a certain species will aid in the proper use of
that species.

The objective of this exercise are (1) to relate the different structural features of wood, to
the other properties and uses of these products; and (2) the similarities and differences among
different woods.

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 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Table 1. Materials used during the exercise

Twenty different samples of wood

Cross section of a wood trunk
Hand lens
Vernier caliper
Ruler

In conducting the exercise, the structural features can be seen by the naked eye in the
cross section of a tree trunk, it was carefully examined and the wood was illustrated on a piece of
paper. The parts were then properly labeled. Using a ruler, the students made two measurements
of the dark-colored portion of the wood trunk as can be seen in the Figure 1 and used its average
as its diameter. The same method was done in measuring the entire diameter of the tree trunk.
The students used these two measurements to compute for the dark-colored portion of the wood.

Figure 1. Diameter measurement of the entire tree trunk and the dark-colored central portion

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 Twenty different wood samples were used in identifying the different structural features
of a wood. The properties of each wood samples were examined and used this as the basis for
classifying them as recommended for furniture or not. Other parameters were used in classifying
each wood samples such as whether they are light-colored or dark-colored; fine-textured or
coarse-textured; straight-grain or interlocked-grain; and its density. The species were listed
according these parameters together with its possible use.

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 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

I. Cross-section of a tree trunk

Figure 2. Illustration of labeled parts of the cross-section tree trunk.

Wood is defined as the hard fibrous substance consisting basically of xylem that makes
up the greater part of the stems, branches, and roots of trees or shrubs beneath the bark and is
found to a limited extent in herbaceous plants (Merriam, 2018). Wood consists of different parts
that could be seen by our naked eye as shown in Figure 2.

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 The following are the different parts and functions of the wood.

Heart wood- is made up of cells which are actually dead. It is usually darker in color than the
surrounding xylem tissues. It provides the strength necessary to support the tree.

Sap wood- it is lighter in color than the heart wood. It conducts water and mineral salts from the
root system of the tree to the leaves.

Early wood- light colored band of tissues that are composed of large diameter thin walled cells.
These tissues are formed during rainy season or at the time of the year when moisture is
abundant; and when the cambium is most active.

Late wood- dark colored tissues characterized by small diameter and thick walled cells that are
formed during the dry months of the year when water becomes limiting.

Growth rings- these represent the accumulated xylem for any given year. It appears as
concentric circles in the cross section and as parabola like figures in the longitudinal view.

Pith- innermost portion of the stele. It is a primary tissue in the form of central parenchymatous
cylinder found in stems and sometimes in roots.

Outer bark- outermost layers of stems and roots of woody plants. It serves as protection from
the pest and diseases of the wood.

Typically, wood exhibits three planes; cross, tangential and radial sections. These could
be easily distinguished by its features. A cross-section is a surface that is cut at right angle to the
longitudinal axis of the stem, where annual rings are circular and pores can be observed with use
of the lens. Unlike with tangential section, growth rings appear irregular and in wavy patterns.
While in radial section the rings appear closely-spaced parallel bond.

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 In this exercise, the students used the cross-section plane of the wood. According to the
data collected, the total cross-section of the wood is 22.20 cm, which composed of 80.63%
(17.90 cm) of heartwood and 19.37% (4.30 cm) of sapwood. It was observed that heartwood is
larger than sapwood. As mentioned earlier, sapwood conducts water and many chemical
compounds. And through time these portion of the wood becomes dead and converted to
heartwood which serves later as mechanical support of the wood (Berlyn and Weber, 2018).
Thus, as a tree matures, the heartwood and sapwood continue to increase. The tree parts could be
utilized with many forest products but the light colored portion of the wood or known as
Sapwood is not typically recommended for the manufacture of forest products. Since it functions
as the conductor of food and serves as food storage of the tree, it is more vulnerable with the
insect and pest diseases. It would be a waste of resources if sapwood is utilized.

II. Structural features and influence on other properties and uses.

The twenty different wood samples were classified depending on their potential use as furniture.

Table 2. Classification of wood samples base on their corresponding uses

Recommended for furniture Not recommended for

furniture

Name of Species Mangium Kamagong Balsa

Kakauate Mahogany
Bagalunga Ilang Ilang
Duklitan Palosapis
Lanete Dao
Balobo Rain Tree
Moluccan Sau Apitong
Anubing Ipil
Narra Gmelina
Red lauan

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 Common features that Moderately Heavy to Heavy High Flammability
you used as bases for High Durability Lightweight
your classification High Workability
High Strength

Nineteen of the wood samples were classified as being “recommended for furniture”
while only one was classified as being “not recommended for furniture”. This classification was
based around the durability, strength, weight and the overall workability of the wood sample.

Most of the wood samples that were classified as recommended for furniture exhibited
properties of being heavy to moderately heavy which is good for furniture as heavier wood
means it’s denser and is therefore tougher and harder. Other properties of the wood samples that
were recommended for furniture uses are the high durability, strength and workability. Wood
with high durability tends to be more resistant to decay and pests which is important for
furniture. High strength indicates that the wood can withstand structural loads which is important
in its construction and makes the wood ideal for support such as table or chair legs for heavy
tabletop furniture. The high workability makes these woods easier to be used for furniture
making as the wood is easily shaped with either hand tools or machine tools without excessively
blunting tools.

Hence, Balsa is not recommended for furniture making as it is lightweight and flammable
which wood characteristics are not suitable for furniture.

The twenty different wood samples were also classified according to color, texture, grain
and density.

Color is one of the physical properties of wood; it is usually the basis of the consumer
depending on his purpose. The true color of the wood will be seen when it reach its mature stage
and can be found in the inner portion of the wood or technically known as heartwood. In this
area, the color is greatly affected by the accumulation of extractive during heartwood

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formation. This property may help us indicate chemical consumption in pulping and bleaching
in the paper industry. In addition, the consumer also base on the wood’s color for the
determination of durability for construction purposes, because, the light colored wood is more
perishable than dark colored ones.

Table 3. Classification of wood samples base on their color

Species Recommended Use

Light Colored Mangium Narra Venetian blinds, Guitar

Kakauate Ilang Ilang Bowling pins, Manufacture
Balsa Palosapis Spindles, Chopping
Duklitan Dao Construction Boards
Lanete Rain Tree Work Furniture
Moluccan Ipil Packing boxes Fuel wood
Sau Gmelina Tool handles Mouldings
Anubing Instruments case

Dark Colored Bagalunga It is best used for furniture because of

Balobo its natural color
Red Lauan Shipbuilding
Kamagong Boat Paddle
Mahogany Railroad
Apitong Excellent In Flooring

The Table 3 shows the species having light colored wood and its recommended uses. In
the light colored wood, most of the uses of the end product are no contact in water because of its
low resistance to decay as compare to the dark colored wood which is used in shipbuilding
(Bello and Mosteiro, 1997)

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 Texture refers to the size of woody elements such as pores. There are two major types of
wood texture; the course and the fine textures. The coarse textured wood samples are those with
pores that are readily visible on the naked eye and the fine textured wood samples are those with
pores that can be seen with the aid of hand lens.

Table 3-1. Classification of wood samples base on their texture

Species Recommended Use

Fine-Textured Mangium Carvings

Duklitan Toys
Lanete Panels
Balobo Flooring
Kamagong Kitchen Bowls
Mahogany Trophy
Rain Tree

Coarse Textured Kakauate Ilang Ilang Furniture

Balsa Palosapis Heavy Construction
Bagalunga Dao Material
Moluccan Sau Apitong Fences
Anubing Ipil Stairs
Narra Gmelina Paper Weights
Red Lauan Beams And Joists

Fine textured wood such as Mangium, Duklitan, Lanete, Balobo, Kamagong, Mahogany,
and Rain Tree are commonly used for wood carvings, novelty items, toys, panels, flooring, and
other installation (Table 3-1) because of the smooth surface of the end product when properly
processed. Coarse textured wood on the other hand, such as Kakauate, Balsa, Bagalunga,
Moluccan Sau, Anubing,Narra, Red Lauan, Ilang Ilang, Palosapis, Dao, Apitong, Ipil, Gmelina,

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have finished end products with surface that is grooved with tiny slits and valleys. In effect,
additional money is needed for the pore filler to attain glassy smooth surface.

Grain refers to the arrangement and direction of alignment of wood when considered as a
group. There are two major types of grain namely straight, interlocked, and spiral.

Table 3-2. Classification of wood samples base on their grain

Species Recommended Use

Straight grain Mangium Balobo Pencils Cabinet

Balsa Moluccan Sau Beams And Chopsticks
Duklitan Kamagong Joists Pencil Slats
Lanete Palosapis Furniture Flooring
Veneer And Popsicle
Plywood Sporting Goods

Interlocked grain Kakauate Mahogany Statue

Bagalunga Dao Wall Panels
Anubing Rain Tree Coaster Set
Narra Apitong Frames
Red Lauan Ipil Paper Weights
Ilang Ilang Gmelina

Species having straight grain includes Mangium, Balsa, Duklitan, Lanete, Balobo,
Moluccan sau, Kamagong, and Palosapis. These kind species can be used as the main
component of book shelves. On the other hand, interlocked grain species such as Kakauate,
Bagalunga, Anubing, Narra, Red lauan, Ilang-ilang, and etc. (Table 3-2) should not be used as
the component of bookshelves because of the tendency to break from below. However, it is
usually used for decoration purposes because of the figure produced.

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 Density refers to the oven-dry mass weight of wood to the mass weight of an equal
volume of water measured at a certain temperature (Bello, 1997).
Table 3-3. Classification of wood samples base on their density

Species Recommended Use

Light Balsa Wood For Boat

Moluccan Sau Fish Net Floats
Ilang Ilang For Manufacture Of Wooden Shoes
Pulp And Paper Making
Boxes And Crates

Moderate Mangium Wood Plate

Lanete Doors And Window Frames
Rain Tree Ice Cream Spoons
Pallets
Pulpwood

Heavy Kakauate Kamagong Furniture

Bagalunga Palosapis Main Component Of House
Duklitan Mahogany Scaling Sticks
Balobo Dao Golf Head
Anubing Apitong Bowling Balls
Narra Ipil Paper Weights
Red Lauan Letter Opener
Beams And Joists

Species with heavy density includes Kakauate, Bagalunga, Duklitan, Balobo, Anubing,
Narra, Red Lauan, Kamagong, Palosapis, Mahogany, Dao, Apitong, and Ipil (Table 2.3). This
species could be used in the determination of strength of wood in place of actual strength results.
Also, it can also be used in the determination of nail holding capacity and shrinkage

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characteristics of wood. Heavy wood has strong nail holding capacity making them good
material for the most construction work. On the other hand, light wood such as Balsa, Moluccan
sau, and Ilang-ilang (Table 3-3) should not be used for furniture or main component of house
because of its weak properties in terms of support. In connection with the color, the denser wood
may have darker color because of its richness in terms of deposits such as tannins and resins.

Wood is one of the most commonly used materials in the world, and almost any type of
wood can be used to build furniture. Some of the wood species are always classified together. It
may be partially to fully similar to other species. Each type of wood has its own unique
characteristics, which in turn can add different degrees of warmth, emphasis and beauty to its
surrounding decor.

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III. Application

Figure 3. Rain tree as bench Figure 4. Tamarind lumber as chair

Figure 5. Narra as dining chair Figure 6. Mahogany as dining chair

The students checked out the furniture in their houses and/or dormitories and identified
the species used in making the furniture. The species identified were Rain tree, Tamarind, Narra
and Mahogany.

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 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Learning the different wood properties and their effects on the wood is important factor
in wood identification and in the proper utilization of our forest products. The different structural
properties of wood gives it a lot of different uses; whether for construction, furniture making, as
posts or even for shipbuilding but these properties vary from species to species. Determining the
right wood species for a certain use is a must in order to maximize the use of this forest resource
to its fullest potential. If the wood is properly identified, it would be easy to determine whether
they could be recommended for making furniture or not.

The properties that should be considered are the color, texture, grain, and density because
these properties determine whether using a certain wood for furniture or for construction is
viable and efficient. Learning that denser wood such as Kamagong is better for construction due
to its better nail holding capacity compared to a less dense wood like Balsa which is light and is
better used for building model structures. Another difference between the two wood species is
their texture which gave them different decorative end products as the fine textured Kamagong is
better suited for paneling or flooring while the coarse textured balsa is not without the use of
pore fillers. These examples of the stark difference between two wood species in terms of their
density and texture help us determine the appropriate use for other wood species with similar
characteristics.

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 REFERENCES

Bello, E.D, Mosteiro, A. P. (1997). Manual on the Properties and Uses of Lesser-Used Species of
Philippine Timbers Retrieved from:
http://www.itto.int/files/user/pdf/publications/PD47%2088/pd47-88-
1%20rev%203%20(I)%20e.pdf

Berlyn, G. P., & Weber, L. M. (2018, January 17). Tree. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/plant/tree/Tree-structure-and-growth

Mauriat, M., Le Provost, G., Rozenberg, P., Plomion, C,. (2014). Wood Formation in Trees 656.
10.1201/b16714-5. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261513595_Wood_Formation_in_Trees

Othmer, K. (1998). Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Fourth Edition, Vol.

25. Retrieve from https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1998/durba98a.pdf

Shan, W. (n.d). Identification, Properties and Uses of some Southeast Asian Woods . Retrieved
from: http://www.itto.int/files/user/pdf/publications/PD41%2088/pd-41-88%20e.pdf

“wood.” The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Retrieved from

https://www.encyclopedia.com/reference/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wood

Wood. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wood

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 APPENDIX

Computations

a. Diameter of the dark colored central portion (heartwood)

 first measurement=19 cm
 second measurement=16.8 cm

b. Diameter of the entire tree trunk

sapwood with heartwood

 first measurement=23.4 cm
 second measurement=21.4 cm

c. Portion of the trunk that is made up of the dark-colored central portion (heartwood)

d. Portion of the trunk that is made up of the light-colored portion (sapwood)

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