12 Wood

Primary Growth

Growth that contributes to unidirectional stem elongation and occurs at apical meristems.

Secondary Growth

Growth that contributes to stem widening and wood development, occurring at lateral meristems.

Wood

A hard, fibrous structural tissue produced by secondary growth, primarily made up of secondary xylem.

Hardwood Trees

Trees that are angiosperms, producing wood with both tracheids and vessels, examples include oak, maple, chestnut, and walnut.

Softwood Trees

Trees that are gymnosperms, producing wood primarily consisting of tracheids, examples include pine, spruce, larch, and cypress.

Uses of Wood

Major uses include fuel (firewood, coal), paper, and lumber.

Xylem Cell Types in Hardwood

Contains both tracheids and vessels.

Xylem Cell Types in Softwood

Primarily composed of tracheids.