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Structure and Diversity of Wood
Struktur und Diversität des Holzes
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:23:30
Abstract
Description of the microscopic structure of wood. Appearance of the tissue elements in transverse, radial and tangential sections, and their suitability for the identification of stem wood.Description of the microscopic wood structure of about 25 indigenous soft- and hardwood species.
Objective
To acquire a basic knowledge of the anatomical features of both, conifer and angiosperm wood. To understand the relation between wood structure and function. To acquire the ability to identify the wood of the principal indigenous tree genera and/or species with the help of a light microscope.
Content
Description of the anatomical structure of wood, with reference to function. Description of microscopic features suitable for identification of wood. Identification of wood with the help of an identification key (practical). Description of the light microscopic features of selected exotic wood species.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Holzkunde (in German only). ca. 80 p.
Literature
Braun, H.J., 1982: Lehrbuch der Forstbotanik. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart. 257 S. Bailey, I.W., 1954: Contributions to plant anatomy. Chronica Botanica Company, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA. 259 S. Bosshard, H.H., 1982: Holzkunde. Band 1. Mikroskopie und Makroskopie des Holzes. 2. Aufl. Birkhäuser-Verlag, Basel-Boston-Stuttgart. 224 S. Brazier, J.D. and Franklin, G.L., 1961: Identification of hardwoods: A microscope key. HMSO, London. 96 S. Den Outer, R.W., Van Veendaal, W.L.H. and Versteegh, Chr. 1988: Determination keys for important West-European woods and tropical commercial timbers. Agricultural University Wageningen Papers 88-1. Nultsch, W. 1986: Allgemeine Botanik. 8. Auflage. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart - New York. Wagenführ, R., 1979: Anatomie des Holzes unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Holztechnik. 2. Aufl. VEB Fachbuchverlag, Leipzig. 328 S. Wagenführ, R., 1996 a: Anatomie des Holzes unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Holztechnik. 4. Aufl. VEB Fachbuchverlag, Leipzig. 334 S. Wagenführ, R., 1996 b: Holzatlas. 4. Aufl. Fachbuchverlag, Leipzig. 688 S. Wheeler, E.A., Baas, P. and Gasson, P.E., 1989: IAWA list of microscopic features for hardwood identification. IAWA Bulletin n.s. 10(3): 219-332.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | Struktur und Diversität des Holzes |
|
2 h weekly |