Basic Properties of Wood

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: describe how wood is formed, know the principal cell types and their function in wood; relate the anatomy and cell wall structure of wood to its physical and mechanical properties; identify some major commercial timber species in Nigeria; and discuss wood and moisture relationship, problems and measures to control its effect in wood utilisation.

Structure of woods and its influence on wood properties; gross characteristics of wood; macro and microscopic features of hardwoods. Wood and water interactions. General consideration of physical and mechanical properties of wood. Identifications of Nigeria wood at the macroscopic level.