Each year a tree grows a new layer of wood. The rings inside a tree trunk show each year’s new growth. If you count the rings you can find out how old the tree is. This tree is probably older than you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knots show where a branch grew out from the tree trunk.

The fibres make a pattern of lines called the grain. If the lines are close together, the wood is a hardwood. Broad-leaved trees have hardwood which is close-grained. If the lines of the grain are wider apart, the wood is open-grained or softwood. Conifers produce softwood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some wood is very strong.

Trees and other plants make a substance called cellulose. Cellulose forms into strands which mat together and make up the walls of tiny cells inside the tree. The cellulose is very important as it makes wood strong.

 

 

 

 

 

This board game is made from different colour woods.

Each type of tree has different coloured wood. Pine trees have a pale wood and walnut has a dark brown wood. A mixture of different colours of wood is sometimes used to decorate furniture.