Chapter 02: Basic wood biology—Anatomy for identification

Abstract

Before the topics of using a hand lens, preparing wood for observation, and understanding the characters used in wood identification can be tackled, a general introduction to the biology of wood must be undertaken. The woods in commercial trade in Central America come almost exclusively from trees, so the discussion of wood biology is restricted to trees here, though most of what is presented is also true of shrubs and lianas.

Parent Publication

• Identification of Central American Woods/de las Especies Maderables de Centroamerica

Keywords

wood identification, hand lens, Central America, Central American woods, commercial timber, pattern recognition, wood identification process, biology of wood, wood anatomy, wood structure, scientific names, loupe, macroscopic, sample preparation, surfacing, cutting, characters, vessels, rays, parenchyma, identification key, species description, similar woods, species summaries, wood collection, wood identification references, InsideWood

Citation

Wiedenhoeft, Alex. 2011. Chapter 02: Basic wood biology—Anatomy for identification. In: Identification of Central American Woods. 2011. Forest Products Society, Madison, WI. Publication #7215-11, ISBN 978-1-892529-58-9. pp. 11-20.