Group No.

3 GH-2L Date Performed: February 7, 2017

DOLORES, Teddy Joy Date Submitted: February 17, 2017
LERIOS, Alyssa A.
LOMENTE, Laizha Lynn
LOO, Chiaw Yuen
TAMONDONG, Ma. Mariella G.

THE GROSS FEATURES OF WOOD

Exercise No. 1

I. INTRODUCTION

Forest trees provide man with different uses of wood. It is very important to know the
features of a wood from a certain species. With the proper knowledge on the species to be
used, it will give advantages to the user and may prevent from harm that can be caused by the
usage of inappropriate 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.

II. OBJECIVES

To relate the different structural features of wood, to the other properties and uses
of these products; and
Explain the similarities and differences among different woods.

III. METHODOLOGY

In order to achieve the objectives of this exercise, the materials or equipment used are
twenty different wood samples, cross section of a wood trunk, a hand lens and a Vernier
caliper and/or ruler. Using our naked eye, the cross section of the tree trunk is examined and
illustrated including the proper labels. The diameter of the heartwood portion and the entire
tree trunk are also measured to determine the ratio of the tree diameter as the tree increases or
become mature.

The twenty different wood samples were identified based on its gross structures and
features. The samples were classified whether they could be used for furniture making or not,
and the basis for justification is from the lessons and principles learned in FPPS 11 (Wood
Structure and Identification). The different structural features of the wood such as the color,
texture, grain, density are identified and classified according to its species and recommended
uses.

IV. RESULTS and DISCUSSION

1. Cross-section of the tree trunk

a. Growth rings, wood rays, the pith, heartwood and sapwood are the structural features that
are visible to the naked eye.

b. Illustration of the cross-section of a tree trunk and its labels.

The structural features and its functions:

Wood Ray - appear as lines extending in the general direction from pith to
bark these formations of primarily parenchyma cells that allow the radial transport of sap
and are essential in the processes of tylosis.

Growth Ring - Growth rings are visible as concentric circles of varying width
 when a tree is cut crosswise. They represent layers of cells produced by the tissue known
as vascular cambium. Most growth rings reflect a full year's growth and are called annual
rings (Free Dictionary).

Vascular Cambium - It is a thin layer that separates two other types of plant vascular
tissue called the xylem and phloem. The cells in this portion divide and multiply with the
plant's secondary growth, in which it increases in girth size.

Pith - Pith is a tissue in the stems of vascular plants which is also known
as the medulla. It is composed of soft, spongy parenchyma cells that is important in
storing and transporting nutrients throughout the plant.

Sapwood - It is the youngest, often light-colored part that is on the outer part
of the woody stem of a tree, the part that conducts water and dissolved materials.

Heartwood - It contains the older xylem cells in the center of the tree that
become inactive then gradually die, eventually forming the heartwood. It is usually
darker than the sapwood because it is filled with stored sugar, dyes and oils. The main
function of the heartwood is to support the tree (Shmulsky, 2011).

c. The diameter of the dark-colored central portion:

24 + 23 + 18.5 + 19.5
= = 21.25 = 21.25 2 = .
4

d. The diameter of the entire tree trunk:

27 + 24.4 + 20 + 19
= = 22.625 = 22.625 2 = .
4

e. The portion of the trunk that is made up of dark-colored central portion:

f. Central portion : diameter = 8cm Area: = 42 = 50.26548246 = 50.262

Total cross-section : average diameter = 45.25cm average radius = 22.625cm
= 22.6252 = 1608.1522

Ratio= 1:71.08 (Central Portion: Total Cross Section)

We think that the ratio 1 : 71.08 will also increase as the diameter of the tree increases
and the tree becomes mature.

g. We would not recommend the light-colored portion in the manufacture of forest products
because often times the light-colored or the sapwood has less strength value than the
heartwood. It is less likely to be able to support heavy objects, hence it will make
 furniture sturdy.

h. The cross section is easy to distinguish because of the growth rings and rays that are
visible on it. The radial section, on the other hand, is perpendicular to the cross-section
with parallel annual rings. Tangential sections are then made perpendicular to the rays
and tangential to the annual rings and face of the log.

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

Table 1. Identification of 20 wood samples and categorized it to its corresponding uses.

Recommend for furniture Not recommend for furniture
Name of species Kamagong Balobo
Mahogany Malapapaya
Ebony Narek
Dao Yakal
Narra Ilang-ilang
Apitong Malabayabas
Mollucan sau Taluto
Ipil
Kalantas
Gmelina
Tanguile
Mayapis
Teak
Common features that you Most of these species are dark Interlocked-grain, low density
used as bases for your colored wood; hard and
classification heavy; with a crossed grain;
crossed texture; and lustrous.

Every kind of species has its own corresponding use and purposes. Among the 20 wood
samples given, 13 of it can be used as furniture. Otherwise, it is suitable to other purposes.
Classification of wood uses can be determined through its physical features such as color and
density.

Table 1.1. Classification of the color of each species.

Species Recommended uses
Light-colored Balobo Light colored wood are
Malapapaya usually used for food
Yakal implements and wood pallet.
Dao
Mollucan sau
Ilang-ilang
Gmelina
Mayapis
Taluto
 Teak
Dark-colored Kamagong Ideal for furniture and
Mahogany decorative purposes.
Narek
Ebony
Narra
Apitong
Ipil
Kalantas
Tanguile
Malabayabas

Generally, determining woods to be used for furniture are better to observe the color
(Constantine, 1959). The natural color of the woods make itself more attractive to consumers.
Out of the 20 given wood samples, half of it was classified as light colored and otherwise, dark
colored. It was also given that the color shows attraction on the aesthetic value of each species.

Table 1.2. Classification of the woods texture.

Species Recommended uses
Fine-textured Balobo Furniture
Malapapaya
Kamagong
Narek
Ebony
Yakal
Narra
Malabayabas
Coarse-textured Mahogany Posts
Dao Sculptures
Apitong Wood pallet
Mollucan sau
Ipil
Kalantas
Ilang-ilang
Gmelina
Tanguile
Mayapis
Taluto
Teak

Sizes of the cells of wood are not visible through the naked eye. However, texture can
represent the sizes of its cells. Texture can be classified as coarse or fine upon seeing the cells at
the cross section of the wood. Basically, coarse-textured is when pore outlines are very distinct
to the naked eye. Otherwise, it is classified as fine-textured.
Table 1.3. Classification of each woods grain.
Species Recommended uses
With straight-grain Balobo Furniture
Malapapaya
Kamagong
Ebony
Mollucan sau
Taluto
Teak
With interlocked-grain Mahogany Boat making
Narek Doors
Yakal
Dao
Narra
Apitong
Ipil
Kalantas
Ilang-ilang
Gmelina
Tanguile
Malabayabas
Mayapis

Grain, a visible feature, represents the orientation of cells in wood. It has several types,
though upon the observation from the wood samples given, an interlocked grain was mostly
described. Interlocked grain or crossed grain is mainly different to the other type of grain,
straight. It can be curly, spiral or diagonal, while straight when it is parallel to the longitudinal
axis of wood. Orientation of grains can also be a factor of consumers attraction due to the
natural beauty and creativity patterns of the wood.

Table 1.4. Classification of each woods density.

Species Recommended uses
Light Malapapaya Boat making
Mollucan sau Frame
Kalantas Wood pallet
Ilang-ilang
Taluto
Moderate Narra Furniture
Dao Handicrafts
Gmelina Sculptures
Tanguile
Mayapis
Teak
Heavy Balobo Flooring
Kamagong Furniture
Mahogany House building
 Narek Post
Ebony
Yakal
Apitong
Ipil
Malabayabas

Some species of wood can be partially to fully like to other species. Density, the solidity
of wood, is a helpful characteristic in proper identification of wood species. Different
classification of density has its own purposes such as: a) light for boat making, frame, etc., b)
moderate for some furniture, etc., and c) heavy for floorings of houses, etc.

V. SUMMARY and CONCLUSION

The Gross features of wood is an important factor in wood identification. Knowing

the different structural features of the wood is important in order to determine its
properties as well as its specific uses. If the wood is properly identified, it would be
easy to determine whether they could be recommended for making furniture or not.

VI. REFERENCES

Constantine, A. (1959). Know Your Woods. New York City, USA: Scribners

FPPS 11 WOOD STRUCTURE AND IDENTIFICATION MANUAL

Shmulsky, R., Jones, P.D. (2011) Forest Products and Wood Science.