Wood anatomy and its effects on physical properties in nineteen commercial species

Abstract

Wood anatomy plays a crucial role in determining the technological properties of wood. The proportion, arrangement and size of different wood cells affect these properties. Nevertheless, most studies focus on fiber characteristics and disregard other wood cell types. Here, we tested the relationship between wood anatomy and physical properties in nineteen commercialized species obtained in lumberyards. The proportion of wood cell types, vessel diameter, area and density, and ray width, height, and density was measured. In general, low wood density was linked to a higher amount of axial parenchyma, whereas shorter rays increased wood density. Higher shrinkage values were observed for species with taller and wider rays, and species with smaller vessel area had lower shrinkage. Thus, our results show that wood physical properties are not solely determined by fiber dimensions, but rather by the combined effects of all wood cell types proportions and dimensions.