Forest Products and Wood Science: An Introduction

Forest Products and Wood Science: An Introduction, Sixth Edition is a streamlined and updated version of this venerable wood science text. The sixth edition maintains key areas of coverage within the wood science discipline including characteristics and structure of wood, applications and performance capabilities of forest products, and the environmental implications of the use of wood–based materials. The material has been revised to maximize its use for students and wood science professionals.

The sixth edition builds on the strengths of earlier editions by providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the anatomical and physical nature of wood and the relationship of these characteristics to its use as an industrial raw material. Also the text includes expanded coverage of environmental issues, biomass, and bioenergy. New online offerings, in–depth tables and review aids, have been added to make the text even more user–friendly.

Forest Products and Wood Science: An Introduction, Sixth Edition will be a valuable resource for training the next generation of foresters, architects, timber engineers, environmental professionals, biopolymer and bioenergy scientists, as well as forest products and wood science professionals while also serving as timely reference for those currently working in the field.

Preface ix

Introduction xi

1. Tree Growth and Production of Woody Tissue 3

2. Macroscopic Character of Wood 23

3. Composition and Structure of Wood Cells 45

4. Softwood Structure 65

5. Hardwood Structure 79

6. Juvenile Wood, Reaction Wood, and Wood of Branches 107

7. Wood and Water 141

8. Density and Specific Gravity 175

9. Strength and Mechanics 197

10. Durability and Protection 229

11. Silvicultural Practices and Wood Quality 253

12. Lumber 289

13. Structural Composites 321

14. Nonstructural Composites 365

15. Pulp and Paper 397

16. Energy and Chemical Products 421

17. Global Raw Materials 443

Index 467

Rubin Shmulsky is Department Head and Professor in the Department of Forest Products at Mississippi State University.

P. David Jones is an Assistant Extension Professor in the Department of Forest Products at Mississippi State University.

"This text offers a comprehensive overview of the anatomical and physical nature of wood and the relationship of these characteristics to its many uses." (Book News, 1 October 2011)