The course Wood structure and function conveys basic knowledge on the microstructure of softwoods and hardwoods as well as general and species-specific relationships between growth processes, wood properties and wood function in the living tree.
Learning objective
Learning target is a basic understanding of the anatomy of wood and the related impact of endogenous and exogenous factors. The students can learn how to distinguish common central European wood species at the macroscopic and microscopic level. A deeper insight will be given by wood identification exercises for softwood species. Further, the students will gain insight into the relationships between tree growth and wood properties with a specific focus on the wood function in the living tree.
Content
In an introduction to wood anatomy, the general structural features of softwoods and hardwoods will be explained and factors of diversity and variability will be discussed. A specific focus is laid on common central European tree species with relevance in the wood sector, which will be studied in macro-and microstructural investigations. In the following, relationships between wood structure, properties and function in the living tree will be in the focus of the lectures. Topics covered are water transport, trends in wood anatomy within trees, environmental impact on wood anatomy, wood defects and their causes, tools to study wood properties over time, secondary changes in wood, and tree biomechanics.
Performance assessment
Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course