Timbers

• How is natural wood categorized?

  As hardwood or softwood
• What are the characteristics of hardwood?

  Broad, flat leaves, closed seeds
• What are the characteristics of softwood?

  Evergreens, have pinecones
• How can both hardwood and softwood be grown sustainably?

  They can be harvested in managed forests
• Why is wood considered a sustainable resource?

  It can be grown and harvested responsibly
• What is a key advantage of softwood over hardwood?

  Softwood grows faster and is cheaper
• What are common softwood trees?

  • Larch
  • Pine
  • Spruce
  • Cedar
• What are common hardwood trees?

  • Oak: Tough, hard, used for floors
  • Ash: Flexible, tough, shock resistant, used for hammer handles
  • Beech: Tough, durable, used for kids' toys, splinters less
  • Mahogany
  • Balsa
• Why are hardwoods often more expensive than softwoods?

  They do not grow as quickly
• What is a characteristic of hardwood grain?

  It has a closer grain
• What are the advantages of natural wood?

  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Good insulator
  • Durable and tough
  • Good strength to weight ratio
  • Varnish increases toughness
• What are the downsides of natural wood?

  • Flammable
  • Can rot
  • Susceptible to insects
• What is a key feature of balsa wood?

  It is lightweight and fast growing
• What is balsa wood commonly used for?

  Model making
• What is a characteristic of mahogany wood?

  It is dark red and durable
• What issue arises from the high demand for mahogany?

  It causes illegal logging and deforestation
• How long does it take for mahogany to grow?

  30-50 years
• What are the benefits of useful softwood?

  • Cost effective
  • Readily sourced
  • Commonly used in construction
• What is a characteristic of pine wood?

  Pine is lightweight
• What is a characteristic of larch wood?

  Larch is tough and water resistant
• What is a characteristic of spruce wood?

  Spruce has a high stiffness to weight ratio
• What is a unique property of cedar wood?

  Cedar contains natural oils, making it water resistant
• What happens when a tree is felled?

  It is cut down
• What modern tools are used for felling trees?

  Chainsaw or agricultural logging machinery
• Why is modern tree felling considered bad for the carbon footprint?

  It involves emissions from felling and transporting
• What is the definition of carbon footprint?

  Emissions from your actions
• What is timber conversion?

  Process of preparing timber for use
• What are the types of timber finishes and their uses?

  • Planed all round: smooth, mainly for furniture
  • Rough sawn: rough edges, used for exterior tasks
• What happens to off-cuts in timber processing?

  They are recycled for other uses
• What is plainsawn timber and its potential issue?

  It can cup due to the grain
• How does quartersawn timber differ from plainsawn timber?

  It is more stable and more expensive
• What are newly felled unseasoned trees called?

  Green timber
• What is the moisture content of green timber?

  More than 50%
• What is the recommended moisture content for exterior timbers?

  Less than 20%
• What is the recommended moisture content for interior timbers?

  Less than 10%
• How can moisture levels in timber be detected?

  Using a probe
• What is the process of seasoning timber?

  Removing moisture from timber
• What are the two methods of seasoning timber?

  1. Kiln drying: heats timber and steams water
  2. Air drying: leaves timber outside to escape moisture
• What is the purpose of placing timbers in a hashtag pattern when air drying?

  To allow moisture to escape naturally
• What additional benefits does kiln seasoning provide?

  Removes fungus and insects