Properties of Trees

Color in the Tree

Each tree has its own unique color, with the heartwood usually being darker than the sapwood.

Luster in Wood

Luster in wood is the ability to reflect light on cross-sectional surfaces, resulting from the abundance of starch in the tissues.

Smell in the Tree

The scent in trees arises from essential oils, tannins, resins, and essences. Some trees, like cypress, retain their pleasant scent over time and are used for specific purposes such as in laundry boxes.

Sound Transmission in Wood

Dry trees of the same species transmit sound better than wet trees, with fine-textured trees like spruce reflecting sound vibrations well.

Heat Conduction in Wood

Wood is generally not a good conductor of heat. Hard, tightly textured, and wet trees transmit heat more effectively than soft, sparsely textured, and dry trees.

Conduction of Electricity in Wood

Wood is not a good conductor of electric current, even in completely dry conditions.

Heat Power in the Tree

Wood is a source of calories and gives off heat when burned. Different tree types yield varying amounts of heat, with coniferous trees having high-calorie content due to chemicals like resin and betulin.

Hardness in Wood

Hardness varies, with very soft woods (e.g., Poplar) to the hardest woods (e.g., Ebony), influenced by factors like texture and moisture content.

Weight in the Tree

The weight of the tree is closely related to its hardness; hard and tight-textured wood is usually heavy.

Strength in the Tree

1. Trees are naturally protected from parasitic insects and fungi through tannins, resin, and poisonous substances.
2. Strength can be increased through treatments like tar oil, sublimation, and impregnation with substances like copper sulfate and zinc chloride.
3. Well-dried trees used where appropriate exhibit increased strength.

Resistance in the Tree

Resistance in trees includes bending ability, torsional ability, abrasion ability, and crack ability.

• Bending Ability: Varies in trees based on flexibility and fiber length.
• Torsional Ability: Generally superior in hardwoods.
• Abrasion Ability: Resistance to breaking, tearing, and eroding surfaces.
• Crack Ability: Resistance to separation by the effect of a wedge.

Tree resistance also depends on factors like flexibility, torsion, abrasion, and crack abilities.