Cells, Wood, Forest Products
Katie Harrison
Sol LS.3


I. Introduction

  • How many cells do you think are in this block of wood?
  • How many pieces of paper do you think that will make?
  • Today we will be discussing the difference between hardwoods and softwoods, the cell structure of trees, and how cell structure determines what wood products are made from trees.

II. Hardwoods and Softwoods

  • The wood of most hardwoods is hard and most softwoods are soft
  • (There are exceptions to this rule)
  • Needles vs. broad leaves (exceptions)
  • Deciduous vs. Evergreen (exceptions)

III. Trees are made of cells

  • Trees' cells look like a bundle of straws.
  • Telling trees apart by looking at wood cells.
    • Softwoods very uniform- tracheids
    • Hardwoods have variety- tacheids, fibers, vessels
  • Pass out hand lenses and look at samples of wood

IV. Form Fits Function

  • Differences in cell structure make each type of tree better for certain uses.
  • Hardwoods
    • Fuel wood- number one use worldwide
    • Pallets
    • Flooring
    • Decorative items and furniture
  • Softwoods
  • Combination

Conclusion

With all the things society uses wood for it is good that it is a renewable resource. Facts on annual wood use in America per capita. Comments and questions.

Return to Forestry Outreach Site

Return to Student Demonstrations


to the top