TIMBER

Timber is a natural product obtained from trees , when felled [cut ]

and branches removed it is called log .

Trees are exogenous - grow outward in growth .

CLASSSIFICATION OF TREES

[a] conifers [ gymnosperms ] produces softwoods

[b] broard leafed [ angiosperm ] produces hardwoods

CONIFERS [ gymnosperm ] trees bear needle shaped leaves and almost always evergreen leaves
are continually being renewed throughout their life , no general time of the year for leaf fall ,
common examples of conifers are pine and gumtrees. Conifers are all relatively fast
growing and in dense stands .

BROARD LEAFED TREES [angiosperm ] trees are deciduous which means their leaves fall in
winter or in temperate climates , examples of these trees are mukwa [ from Lupane area ],
teak and mahogany [ from areas around Gokwe ] . Trees grow in forests mixed with many other
species of trees . Hardwoods are stronger and harder to work on than softwoods .

TREE GROWTH AND STRUCTURE

A tree is divided into three sections which are -roots

-trunk

-crown

ROOTS - underground portions which anchor the tree in the soil and absorb the water and
mineral salts which are necessary for tree growth .

TRUNK – or stem which supports the crown and carriers the absorbed mineral salts and soil
water to the leaves .

CROWN - consist of branches , twigs and leaves , branches have a mechanical function in the
leaves in positions that they receive maximum amount of sunlight . Flowers and seeds are
produced in this zone and serve to distribute and reproduce the species .Leaves absorb carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere during daylight hours , this combines with water and by a
process photosynthesis form a simple sugar [ glucose ] which is the basic raw material from
which the tree substance ultimately grow .

TREE STRUCTURE
Pith-is the centre which year by year a ring of additional growth is formed.

Annual rings – are formed of cellular tissues and woody fibers arranged in concentric circles
around the pith - are so called because one layer is added each year .

Cambium - is the growth layer next to the protecting bark , this moves outward as the trunk or
branch increases in diameter . Its function is to promote the growth of wood and of bark
on its inner and outer surfaces respectively .

THE RAYS -are concerned with the storing and conveying of food . As the tree ages , these
radical tissues lengthen and eventually loose touch with the pith , which dies .Rays are
more developed in hardwoods than in softwoods .

THE BAST OR PHLOEM - this layer carries food which is made in the leaves down the tree
trunk to the roots.

BARK –is the outer protection of the tree [ it insulates the trunk against extreme
temperatures and it prevents evaporation of the vital sap.

SAPWOOD -is the outer active part of the tree responsible for receiving the water and
minerals from the roots and conducting them around the tree to the leaves as well as for
food storage.

CONVERSION INTO TIMBER

The cutting of the log into timber is called conversion . This operation involves the use of
heavy machinery much of it is very sophisticated relying on modern automated computerised
systems . It reduces human error , provides a safer working environment .

TRANSPORTION TO SAWMILL

The simplest and most effective route will be chosen . This may be via road or water it will
depend on the forest location and accessibility to the various means of transportation .

MILL STORAGE

Where possible mill ponds are used to keep logs wet . In this way , drying out can be avoided
and logs prevented from shrinking prematurely which degrade the timber . Stockpiles on
land would be kept wet by the use of automatic sprinklers .

LOG SELECTION

Logs will be lifted into bays according to girth [ circumference ] and species .

DEBARKING
Softwoods and hardwoods will pass through a debarking process before entering a mill. The
bark residue may be used as fuel or for horticultural purpose.

LOG DIVISION

Is the stage which transforms the log into timber . It is worth noting that in some cases it
can make commercial sense to transport heavy portable sawing machinery or equipment
into the forest to carry out conversion . Logs are cut into squared sections.

SAWING MACHINERY

The size and type of equipment depends on the size of the mill and kind of logs it will be
expected to handle. Small mills could have one or more of the following machines , circular saws
, vertical bandmill , horizontal bandmill gang saw .