Wood is a hard, compact, fibrous, material It is made up of the material that carries food and nutrients in the tree. Xylem carries material up from the roots. Sometimes called Sapwood. Phloem carries material down from the leaves. Sometimes called Inner bark These materials form annular rings. These are light and dark Colored areas formed as the bundles of food carrying material Dries up. Heartwood is the center part of the tree that is dead; it was sap- Wood at one time.

Uses of wood:

Types of wood softwoodEvergreen trees (conifers) that do not loose their leaves. hardwood Broadleaf trees (deciduous) trees that loose their leaves Some hardwood species are softer than some softwood Species. Grades of lumber: Hardwood lumber, length, width, and number of knots. Firsts and seconds (FAS) – highest grade of lumber. Eight feet long Six inches wide, and 83 percent clear (no knots). 1 common, 1C which is average for hardwood lumber. Four foot long, 3 inches wide, and 67% clear 2C and 3 AC are very poor quality, they have a lot of knots.

Grades of lumber cont. Softwood lumber – yard lumber – based on appearance and strength. Select – usually boards that are one inch thick with an almost Perfect face, no blemishes. Trim boards Grades A best, through D select. Common- boards that are used for construction purposes where the Faces do not have to be perfect. Grades 1 best, through 5 Dimension – graded for strength usually 2 inches thick or greater. Grades #1 best, through #5

Hardwood grades.

Sawing lumber from logs – two types Plain or slashed sawn – there is a wide area between the rings on the Wide surface. Usually used for softwood. Quarter sawn or edged grained – there is a close pattern formed by the Rings on the wide surface. Less warpage, used for hardwoods and Furniture.

Curing lumber – getting the moisture out. Trees and the lumber out of the tree has a tremendous amount of Water in it. Most lumber used for construction purposes is 15 % moisture. Air dried lumber, stacked with space between bundles so dry air Reduces moisture content. Kiln dried lumber, a oven like structure that dries the wood.

Finish – smoothing, and standardized size Usually finished with a planer. To smooth the wood. Rough –cut not planed, usually a 2” X 4” IS 2 inches by 4 inches S2S surfaced two sides, wide sides planed, usually only for Hardwoods. S4S surfaced four sides, all sides planed. Hardwood and softwood lumber Nominal sizing for softwoods usually ¼ of an inch off of each edge A 2” X 4” is actually 1 ½” X 3 ½”