Wood, the principal strengthening and nutrient-conducting tissue of trees and other plants and one of the most abundant and versatile natural materials. It is strong in relation to its weight, is insulating to heat and electricity, and has desirable acoustic properties.

It’s common knowledge that wood comes from trees. What may not be so apparent is the structure of the wood itself, and the individual components that make up any given piece of lumber.

Explore types of wood, wood species, uses, and key characteristics. Compare materials and visit our Wood Database for more details.

Wood is the hard, fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is primarily composed of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose, which give it strength and flexibility.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines wood as “the hard substance that makes up the stems and branches of trees and shrubs” or “an area of land covered with many trees,” or “a golf club.” For our purposes, we will focus on the first definition. Wood is the stuff beneath the bark. The technical term is for it is the xylem. What is interesting is the structure of the wood and the ...

An easy-to-understand introduction to wood; how it's grown, harvested, logged, treated, and turned into thousands of useful products.