What are timbers, and how are they classified into three different categories?

Wood is the product produced once a tree has been cut down, but then is turned into what can be
referred to as timber. Wood is the material that grows on trees, timber is when wood has been
converted into use for carpentry etc. Timbers are classified into three different categories which are
Soft wood, hardwood, engineered wood.

Some trees produce hardwood timbers, explain what they are and give three examples and an
indication of which of products they are used in:

To be classified as a hardwood timber, it would come from deciduous trees, which loose their leaves
in autumn. It comes from slow-growing trees. The slower growth means that they are denser, giving
the hardwood quality. It also tends to have a darker colour and is one of the most expensive type of
wood that is on the market because of its strength and durability. Products which hardwood timbers
are used in are veneers and furniture, musical instruments, flooring, construction, and boatbuilding.

- The trees produce fruits and nuts

- They are native to places with a temperature climate like Africa, Asia and India
- Take over 100 years to mature

Some trees produce softwood timbers, explain what they are and give three examples and an
indication of which of products they are used in:

- Come from coniferous tree

- They normally have needles, not leaves
- The trees produce cones
- They are native to colder places like Scandinavia, Canada, Russia
- They take around 20 years to mature
- Softwoods are popular choice for projects such as interior mouldings, construction framing
and generating sheet goods such as plywood and fibreboard

Some trees produce manufactured boards, explain what they are and give three examples and an
indication of which of products they are used in:

- Manufactured boards are usually made from timber waste and adhesive. To make them
more aesthetically pleasing they are often veneered – a thin decorative covering of fine
wood applied to a coarser wood, or other material. They are cheap to buy.
- Products which manufactured boards are used in are doors, mouldings, skirting boards,
internal panelling, and shelving.

Who are the FSC and what do they do?

The FSC are The Forest Stewardship council, they are an international, non-governmental
organization dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.

Green wood needs to be seasoned in order to be used as timber, why is this the case?

- Seasoning refers to the drying on the internal moisture that is in the wood. Green wood is
considered to have 100% moisture content relative to air dried or seasoned wood. This is
done so that it the wood is able to be used in construction with a stable surface/base

Discuss the environmental impact of timber production and disposal:

- Causes the loss of biodiversity

- The disposal of timber effect the environment because of when wood rots it creates
methane, a potent greenhouse gas

What are the problems with timber construction and how can it be fixed?

- A problem with timber construction is the possibility that the timber will rot, but to reduce
this risk the timber shouldn’t be resting in water.
- Another problem to consider when dealing with timber is that is likely to crack, wrap, bend
and decay, if not properly seasoned and not treated with the right preservatives.
- Vulnerable to fire, moisture, insects and fungi
- To make sure all of the above do not happen timber requires a lot of maintenance and
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