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  • Book
  • © 2014

The Biology of Reaction Wood

  • This book brings together our current understanding of all aspects of reaction wood
  • The first book to discuss together both compression wood and tension wood
  • Written by international experts
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Wood Science (SSWOO)

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eBook USD 169.00
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Softcover Book USD 219.99
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  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
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Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • J. R. Barnett, Joseph Gril, Pekka Saranpää
    Pages 1-11
  3. Cell Wall Polymers in Reaction Wood

    • Kurt V. Fagerstedt, Ewa Mellerowicz, Tatyana Gorshkova, Katia Ruel, Jean-Paul Joseleau
    Pages 37-106
  4. The Molecular Mechanisms of Reaction Wood Induction

    • Kévin Tocquard, David Lopez, Mélanie Decourteix, Bernard Thibaut, Jean-Louis Julien, Philippe Label et al.
    Pages 107-138
  5. Biomechanical Action and Biological Functions

    • Meriem Fournier, Tancrède Alméras, Bruno Clair, Joseph Gril
    Pages 139-169
  6. Physical and Mechanical Properties of Reaction Wood

    • Bruno Clair, Bernard Thibaut
    Pages 171-200
  7. Detection and Grading of Compression Wood

    • Philipp Duncker
    Pages 201-224
  8. Commercial Implications of Reaction Wood and the Influence of Forest Management

    • Barry Gardiner, Tom Flatman, Bernard Thibaut
    Pages 249-274

About this book

The book is a fundamental reference source on reaction wood for wood scientists and technologists, plant biologists, silviculturists, forest ecologists, and anyone involved in the growing of trees and the processing of wood. It brings together our current understanding of all aspects of reaction wood, and is the first book to discuss both compression wood and tension wood.

Trees produce reaction wood to maintain the vertical orientation of their stems and the optimum angle of each branch. They achieve this by laying down fibre cell walls in which differences in physical and chemical structure from those of normal fibres are expressed as differential stresses across the stem or branch. This process, while of obvious value for the survival of the tree, causes serious problems for the utilisation of timber. Timber derived from trees containing significant amounts of reaction wood is subject to dimensional instability on drying, causing twisting, bending and splitting. It is also difficult to work as timber, and for the pulp and paper industry the cost of removing the increased amount of lignin in compression wood is substantial. This has both practical and economic consequences for industry.

Understanding the factors controlling reaction wood formation and its effect on wood structure is therefore fundamental to our understanding of the adaptation of trees to their environment and to the sustainable use of wood.

The topics covered include:

-Morphology, anatomy and ultrastructure of reaction wood

-Cell-wall polymers in reaction wood and their biosynthesis

-Changes in tree proteomes during reaction wood formation

-The biomechanical action and biological functions of reaction wood

- Physical and mechanical properties of reaction wood from the scale of cell walls to planks

-The detection and characterisation of compression wood

-Effects of reaction wood on the performance of wood and wood-basedproducts

- Commercial implications of reaction wood and the influence of forest management on its formation

Editors and Affiliations

  • INRA - Unité EPHYSE, Villenave d'Ornon, France

    Barry Gardiner

  • Ashbourne, Derbyshire, United Kingdom

    John Barnett

  • Finnish Forest Res. Inst. METLA, Vantaa, Finland

    Pekka Saranpää

  • Labo. Mécanique et Génie Civil (LMGC), Université Montpellier II CNRS, Montpellier CX 05, France

    Joseph Gril

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access