Economic uses of Forests

Timber: Types of wood

The terms hardwood and softwood are often used in relation to timber. These refer not to how soft or hard the wood is, but to the structure of the trees. In fact, certain hardwoods, for instance, poplar, are 'softer' than softwoods like pine!

Hardwoods

The scientific term for a hardwood tree is angiospermae. This means the plant encases its seeds in seed cases. They are of two types, monocotyledoneae (whose seed cases have a single lobe) and dicotyledoneae (two lobes). Hardwoods are generally broad - leaved trees, and are deciduous.

Some hardwoods and their uses:

• Mahogany Quality furniture such as cabinets; boat construction; wood facings and veneers. 
• Walnut Gunstocks, solid and veneered furniture, novelties, cabinetry and wall panelling.
  
• Oak Furniture, trimming, boat framing, desks and flooring.
  
• Maple Flooring, fine furniture and wood - ware such as bowling alleys.
  
• Cherry Cabinet making, boat trim, novelties.
  
• Rosewood Musical instruments, piano cases, tool handles, art projects, veneers and furniture.
  
• Teak Fine furniture, panelling, shipbuilding, doors, window frames, flooring and general construction.

Softwoods

Softwoods are generally coniferous, evergreen trees, found in colder, northern climes. They are known as gymnospermae, which means their seeds are 'naked', and not covered by a seed case or pod. Coniferous softwoods form the major part of the world's commercial timber.

Some important softwoods and their uses:

• Pine House construction, panelling, trim, furniture, moulding and boxes.
  
• Hemlock Construction lumber, planks, doors, boards, panelling, sub - flooring and crates.
  
• Fir Furniture, doors, frames, windows, plywood, veneer, general mill - work and interior trim.
  
• Redwood Outdoor furniture, fencing, house siding, interior finishing, veneers and panelling.
  
• Spruce Masts and spars for ships, aircraft, crates, boxes, general mill - work and ladders.
  
• Cedar Chest making, closet lining, shingles, posts, dock planks, novelties and Venetian blinds.

Cellular structure differences

Softwood

Simplified softwood cellular structure showing strength providing thick-walled tracheids on the right. Thin-walled earlywood tracheids are seen at the left. Fin medullar rays run across the tracheids and are used to store food. The large opening is a resin canal.

Hardwood

Marked difference between large earlywood pores and small latewood pores characterize hardwoods. Strength is provided by the large number of fibre cells in latewood. Food is stored in parenchyma tissue laid in rays at right angles to the rings.