Plants & Human Affairs (BIOL106) - Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe |
Wood Exercises & Study Questions
Objectives: At the conclusion of this exercise/unit you should
be able to:
Readings:
Wood Identification
Each group will be given several numbered blocks
of wood. Match each block with the appropriate description. You can
also use a dichotomous key to help with your
identifications. As you study each particularly note the characteristic features
and wood structures. Confirm your
identifications with me.
_______ Ash
|
_______ Red Oak
|
||
_______ Black Cherry
|
_______ White Oak
|
||
_______ Maple
|
_______ Walnut
|
||
_______ Southern Pine
|
______ White Pine
|
Wood
Density: (not on
exam)
Measure the size of the wood block in cm. Calculate the volume of the block.
Weigh each block.
Calculate wood density (gm/cm3).
Annual Rings:
Each year a new layer of wood is produced by a tree. By
counting the number or layers, or annual growth rings, the age of the tree can
be determined. The width of the ring provides an indication of the growing
conditions in that year. Study a wood block or sketch.
Wood Cuts:
The three standard cuts of wood are transverse (cross
sectional), radial and tangential. Can you draw a section of wood and then:
Indicate a transverse (or cross sectional) cut
Indicate a radial cut
Indicate a tangential cut
If provided with a piece of wood, can you determine which way it has been cut - transverse, radial or tangential?
Explain how the cut affects the appearance of the board.
Quarter Sawn vs. Plain Sawn Boards:
By examining the figure (= appearance) of a
board, it is possible to tell if it was plain‑sawed or quarter‑sawed.
A tangential cut results in a ___________ ‑sawed board.
A radial cut results in a ____________ ‑sawed board.
The annual rings will run roughly parallel in a __________‑sawed board, but will appear triangular in a ______________‑sawed board.
Draw a sketch of the appearance of a plain‑sawed board.
Draw a sketch of the appearance of a quarter-sawn board.
Heartwood and Sapwood:
If given a transverse section of a tree, can you distinguish
the heartwood and sapwood. Sketch a pie shaped section of this specimen and
label heartwood, sapwood, bark, annual ring, ray, vascular cambium.
Which wood is older, heart‑ or sapwood? Explain.
Which wood is generally darker colored, heart‑ or sapwood? Explain.
Cell Types of Wood:
The two major water conducting cells in wood are tracheids
and vessels.
The diameter of a tracheid is ____________ (larger or smaller) than a vessel
Identify the primary water conducting cell in the following woods:
Red pine__________ | Sugar maple__________ | |
Oak__________ | Blue spruce__________ |
Wood Porosity:
The vessels in wood are also termed the pores. The
distribution of vessels in wood is species-specific and can be useful for
identifying wood. Ring-porous refers to wood in which the vessels are arranged
parallel to the ring. In diffuse-porous wood, the vessels are scattered
throughout the ring. Using the wood samples provided, do you observe any vessels
or pores in the wood of spruce, oak or pine?
Wood Forensics:
Wood played a major role in solving the murder of Charles
Lindbergh's infant son. Describe this case and the type of information
derived from wood that was used to solve it.
Tyloses:
Vessel cells can become plugged by outgrowths from the
parenchyma cells called tyloses. These bubble-like structures can
accumulate a variety of resins and other materials that effectively plugs up the
vessel. Tyloses are usually formed when sapwood changes into heartwood,
but can be formed at any time (Sharp, 1990). Tyloses are common in white
oak and black locust and a characteristics of wood used in tight cooperage
(barrel making).
Obtain a twig (1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter) from red oak and white oak. Attach a rubber hose to one end of the twig and attach the other end to a water outlet. Slowly turn on the water and observe the end of the twig. On which twig, in either, do drops of water appear? Explain why. Which wood would make better barrels?
Some Study Questions:
annual ring |
inner bark |
sapwood |
References:
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Last updated: 12/13/2005 / � Copyright by SG Saupe / URL:http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/index.html