Abstract

Wood touches lives in many ways, from the paper we use to chemicals, eg, acetic acid and methanol. Wood is an amazing resource and is renewable as well. This article covers many characteristics of wood and its products. Wood is either hardwood or softwood (angiosperm or gymnosperm) and is made of firmly bonded cells. The anatomical structure affects all characteristics. Wood is made of lignin and carbohydrates, along with minor amounts of other organic chemicals and minerals. Wood is highly hygroscopic. The adsorption and desorption of moisture causes wood to swell and shrink, respectively. Wood has unique physical properties, eg, strength and stiffness, that are related to its density. Wood is subject to deterioration, caused by temperature, time, moisture, and/or organisms. Wood can be fire retardant treated to reduce the surface burning characteristics and the heat release rate. Organisms eg, fungi, bacteria, insects, and marine borers can attack wood. Various strategies control these attacks, including chemical treatment and preservatives, optimum conditions, and physical barriers. Wood is used to produce lumber, manufactured and composite products, pulp and paper, charcoal, chemical compounds, fuel, and much more. These products support many industries that together contribute greatly to the world economy.