~ Timber Growth ~

Annual or growth rings ~ in temperate climates there are two distinctive growth seasons, spring and summer ~ the spring growth is rapid and is shown as a broad band whereas the hotter, dryer summer growth shows up narrow. In tropical countries the growth rings are more even and difficult to distinguish.
Bark ~ the outer layer, corklike and provides protection to the tree from knocks and other damage. Bast ~ the inner bark, carries enriched sap from the leaves to the cells where growth takes place. *Cambium* ~ layer of living cells between the bast and the sapwood. Heartwood ~ mature timber, no longer carries sap, the heart of the tree, provides the strength of the tree. Usually a distinctive darker colour than the sapwood. *Medulla ray* ~ food storage cells radiating from the medulla ~ provides a decorative feature found in quarter cut timber. Pith or medulla ~ the centre of the tree, soft and pithy especially in the branches. Sapwood ~ new growth, carries the raw sap up to the leaves. Usually lighter in colour than the heartwood, especially in softwoods.
Trunk ~ main structure of the tree, produces the commercial timber. *Crown* ~ the branches and leaves that provides its typical summer shape.
Reproduced with kind permission by Geoff Malthouse from his website

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