9
4. THE ANATOMY OF TIMBER
These activities will help you to
• know the steps in timber production
• know about tree growth and the different types of trees
• gain knowledge of the uses of forest products and by-products.
This simple flow-chart shows the steps in timber production.
-1. FORESTS
�1/)J;
I
�
J�J] '=--. .
-�- -
MANUFACTURED
I
BOARDS
SAWN
TIMBER
PLYWOOD
LANDSCAPING
TIMBERS
6. TIMBER USERS
Builders/carpenters
5. TIMBER PRODUCTS
-.
2. HARVESTING
PULP
LOGS
SAWLOGS
PLYLOGS
ROUND
TIMBERS
4. MILLING & TREATMENT
3. LOG SORTING
Q1: Complete the flow-chart by adding some other timber users. Then describe the process of timber produc­
tion in your own words:
···································································································································································•·••··············································································································
·············································•···•···••··•··•·································································..................................................................................................................................................... .
................................................................................................................................................................................... ··...............................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
10
Q2: In the spaces provided, name the parts of trees that are numbered in the diagrams below.(Carry out library
research if you need further information.)
1 . ............................................................................................................................
7 ......................................................................................................................... .
2 . ............................................................................................................................
8..........................................................................................................................
3 .............................................................................................................................
9 ................................................................................................................ ray
4. ............................................................................................................................
10. Hardwood/softwood* leaf
5............................................................................................................. wood
11 . Hardwood/softwood* leaf
6............................................................................................................. wood
*Cross out the incorrect word.
-�0--
Add colour or rendering (detail) to the appropriate parts of the diagrams to make them look more
realistic.
Q3: Why do we apply a "finish" to timber? Give at least two reasons:
·············································••··•·························•········•...............................................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
11
FOREST PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS
Q4: The following table lists a number of timber products. For each product, fill in the missing details of uses,
advantages and disadvantages.
To help you, details have been given for hardboard. Carry out research if you need further information.
Timber product
Use(s)
Advantage/disadvantage
Hardboard
rvr'n,rvre consrructlon
Can he curved.
Weafher resist"on1:.
I-lord on foo/2..
Particle board
Plywood
- interior, exterior
- marine ply
Hardwood (e.g. gum)
Softwood (e.g. pine)
Laminated timbers
SOME FOREST BY-PRODUCTS:
.-· --·""'\'-
: \..
• ·•
.
�.-::.:{:'
Insecticide
L�)
.r :
...•
·,_>
:,�..........__$/,.,-
:
�·�-- .....
Edible fruits and nuts
Paper
.., ....
.
,
,;.
.... ....--!d, :: � �,�
)
,�-....
. .-,.::•..-.:� .=> ..
-�';.;'�/-��
41fY
U:�
r<t"•'·
l,�·�
��f
J Turpentine
Sawdust
Other chemicals
Q5: Choose three forest by-products from the above illustrations and enter information about them in this table.
(An example is given.) Carry out research if necessary.
Forest by-product
Advantage/disadvantage
Use(s)
Methanol (wood alcohol) �el; chem1c,3/monuracrure
EXCELLENT
PERFORMANCE SCALE:
4. The anatomy of timber
Moe r�9e o.P "ses.
,1/,gh/g ,C-/.3n7mabk; poisonous.
GOOD
SATISFACTORY
NEEDS
IMPROVEMENT
NEEDS MUCH
IMPROVEMENT