Spiral Grain and Wave Phenomena in Wood Formation

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XII

   PDF

2. Defining Spiral Grain

   • John Maddern Harris

   Pages 1-27

3. Measuring Grain Angle

   • John Maddern Harris

   Pages 28-56

4. Effects of Grain Angle on Wood Properties and Uses

   • John Maddern Harris

   Pages 57-76

5. Spiral Grain in Relation to the Environment

   • John Maddern Harris

   Pages 77-97

6. Anatomy of Changing Grain Angles

   • John Maddern Harris

   Pages 98-130

7. Genetics of Spiral Grain

   • John Maddern Harris

   Pages 131-159

8. Physiological Aspects of Changing Grain Angles

   • John Maddern Harris

   Pages 160-183

9. Back Matter

   Pages 184-215

   PDF

It is widely recognized that spiral grain in trees severely reduces the value of sawn timber through warping and loss of strength, and that it also causes problems for other wood uses as diverse as transmission poles or plywood. Yet, paradoxically, there are highly valued grain patterns including wavy and interlocked grain, whose origins in the cambium invite direct comparison with those of spiral grain, so that many authorities believe them to be related phenomena. In recent years this concept has prompted extensive research into the anatomy, genetics, and physiology of all such grain patterns in wood. As a result it has become apparent that tree cambia provide excellent systems through which to study the origins of stem polarity and the complex processes of morphogenetic control in plants. Beside these and other pressing topics for research, the book examines methods of measuring grain deviations, and considers their influence on wood properties, on the economics of timber production, and on wood manufacturing.

• Silviculture
• anatomy
• genetics
• growth
• physiology
• plants
• tree
• wood

• Christchurch 8, New Zealand

  John Maddern Harris

Policies and ethics