Chapter 1 - Woods

Question 1

Hardwood

Answer 1

Timbers that are deciduous and slow growing Eg. beech, ash, oak, teak

Question 2

Softwood

Answer 2

Timbers that are evergreen and quick growing. Eg. Scots Pine, Spruce, Douglas Fir

Question 3

Deciduous

Answer 3

A general term used to describe trees that lose their leaves in autumn

Question 4

Evergreen

Answer 4

A general term to describe trees that do not lose their leaves in autumn

Question 5

Grain

Answer 5

The visual effect of the flow of tracheids (cells)

Question 6

Tracheids

Answer 6

The cells of woods

Question 7

Lignin

Answer 7

The natural resins that hold the cells together in timbers

Question 8

Knots

Answer 8

The natural defects found in timber - the start of branches from the trunk

Question 9

Conversion

Answer 9

Sawing the logs to provide useable wood forms

Question 10

Slab sawn

Answer 10

A form of conversion where the trunk of the tree is cut into slabs ? more prone to warping

Question 11

Quarter sawn

Answer 11

A form of conversion that can prevent warping and can be used to enhance the grain

Question 12

Splits

Answer 12

The separation of timber fibres along the grain due to drying

Question 13

Shrinkage

Answer 13

All timbers shrink due to moisture lost in seasoning

Question 14

Moisture content

Answer 14

The amount of (water) in the timber. Usually shown as a percentage of volume

Question 15

Twisting

Answer 15

Form of warping that is due to a combination of a method of conversion (sawing of the trunk of the tree) and uneven seasoning.

Question 16

Rot

Answer 16

The breaking down of the lignin resins in woods that hold the tracheids (cells) together

Question 17

Death-watch beetle

Answer 17

Insect responsible for the destruction of mainly hardwoods, eg. oak-frame buildings; churches and barns can be affected by the death-watch beetle

Question 18

Kiln drying

Answer 18

A form of seasoning that uses steam in a controlled way to reduce the content of moisture in timber

Question 19

Decay

Answer 19

The deterioration of woods (e.g. dry and wet rot)

Question 20

Aesthetics

Answer 20

The features in a product that make it visually appealing e.g. colour, texture, shaping, styling features

Question 21

Veneer

Answer 21

A thin section sheet of timber (usually hardwood) that is glued to a cheaper base material e.g. chipboard or block board

Question 22

Wood products

Answer 22

Timber based products made from the by-products of timber