Timbers, manufactured boards, wood joints, and wood product life cycle analysis Flashcards
Natural timber
Cut direct from the tree
Splits into hardwoods and softwoods
Manufactured boards
Made from offcuts of timber or involve using timber to manufacture a board
Common manufactured boards are…
Plywood, mdf, chipboard, hardboard, blockboard
Hardwood properties
Mostly deciduous
Generally slow growing
Generally harder and stronger than softwoods
Close grain structure - more dense
Expensive
Softwood properties
Coniferous trees - evergreen
Generally quick growing
Needle like leaves, cone bearing
Generally more knotty
Not as durable as hardwoods
When does shrinkage occur
When the newly felled timber is not seasoned correctly. The wood will dry out in an uncontrolled way and it will then twist, warp, cup, or bow.
When do splits occur
In the ends of the timber if the drying out of the timber is not controlled.
When do shakes occur
Cracks in the timber that are a result of uncontrolled drying out of timber.
When do knots occur
They form in timber where a branch has grown out of the tree trunk. Knots can cause several problems; weaken timber, cause timber to decay and can release resin which ruins surface finish
When does fungal attack occur
If timber is left unseasoned it can be attacked by fungus that will infect the timber and cause disease
Hardwood examples
Jelutong, beech, mahogany, oak, balsa
Softwood examples
Western red cedar, fir, pine
How does the feeling of trees for timber leave a social footprint
Roads may need to be laid to gain access to the forest; this may mean disturbing towns and villages. Workers will be employed directly in the forest and in the service industries. This may provide work opportunities for local people, but specialist forest workers may need to be brought in, meaning that they may need to relocate. Working in the forest can involve performing potentially dangerous activities and workers should receive the correct training and be provided with the appropriate equipment to ensure their safety.
What does FSC stand for
Forest Stewardship Council
What does the FSC do
They help take care of forests and the people and wildlife who call them home
