Understanding Wood and Wood Utilization

Forestry 312 - Wood Identification

Forestry 314 - Wood, Industrial Use, and Society

 

These courses will not be offered during the Spring 2008 Semester.  The next offering will be the Spring 2009 Semester.

 

Instructor

Dr. Scott A. Bowe

Associate Professor and Wood Products Specialist

Department of Forest Ecology and Management

University of Wisconsin-Madison

1630 Linden Drive

Madison, WI 53706-1598

Office Phone: 608-265-5849

Fax: 608-262-9922

sbowe@wisc.edu

Faculty Web Page

 

Forestry 312 - Wood Identification

This course is an introduction to the study of wood identification. Given the popularity of such television programs as the Antiques Roadshow, this course is of interest to a wide range of students. The course introduces the student to basic wood anatomy and how to distinguish various species of wood. Softwood and hardwood species utilized in the United States are covered.

Forestry 312 Sample Course Syllabus

 

Forestry 314 - Wood, Industrial Use, and Society

This course is an introduction to the study of wood science and wood’s use as a global industrial raw material. It will introduce the student to the biological nature of wood including tree growth and the inherent variation in wood as a biological material, macroscopic characteristics of wood, and wood cellular structure through an examination of hardwood and softwood tree structures. The mechanical and biological properties of wood are examined including wood-water relationships, engineering properties, and wood deterioration. The technology of major forest products will be examined including lumber, veneer products, and pulp-based products. Finally, the global and national demand for forest products will be studied to demonstrate the importance for careful forest management and wise utilization.

Forestry 314 Sample Course Syllabus

 

Other Links of Interest

Department of Forest Ecology and Management

USDA Forest Products Laboratory

USDA Forest Products Laboratory - Center for Wood Anatomy Research

Wood Handbook

Forest Products Society

Society of Wood Science and Technology

 

 

(Updated May 9, 2007 by SAB)