Sawing and Drying

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Does a tree build wood on the compression or tension side of the pith?

3/15/17       
Markb Member

When a a tree is heavily leaning or wind blown, I've always found the tree builds more material on the upper side (tension) of the log. Been in a debate with someone who says they build more material on the compression side (under side)

My epxperience when sawing has been if the pith /heart his low. The wood above is in tension (all wood is in tension like bunjee cords).

I have focused heavily on sawing this tension out of a log.

Reversing this would be wild.

3/15/17       #2: Does a tree build wood on the compr ...
Tennessee Tim

Website: http://tsmfarms.com

Mark, I just happen to have a Purdue University sawing guide and I looked this up.....AND I was surprised at the way I thought....I thought the upper side would be closer to the pithe.... ACCORDING to their book this is called reaction wood and in hardwood it is on the upper side with wider growth rings and is called tension wood and being the troublesome side. In softwood the reaction side is the bottom and call it the compression side with narrower ring growth and that's it's troublesome side.....IF I READ this correctly.

This book is titled "Manufacturing and marketing Eastern hardwood lumber produced by thin kerf band mills" by Daniel L. Cassens......I got my book via Woodmizer website store (I think) ( I have many books re: sawing and timberframing)

3/16/17       #3: Does a tree build wood on the compr ...
Mark B Member

Thanks for the info Tim. I have done a bit of reading on it and pretty much knew I had it right but wasnt 100%. Ive cut a lot of leaners, and sawn a lot of leaners, lol. They are challenging to say the least.

3/17/17       #4: Does a tree build wood on the compr ...
Gene Wengert-WoodDoc

In my experience, the tension wood, which only forms in hardwoods, is actually more throughout the stem and not on one side or region. So, the stem will not get oval shaped.

In softwoods, which only get compression wood, will indeed be concentrated on the compressed side of the stem and will make a stem ovelshpaed as the compression wood grows more.


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