"Waiter, There's A Hole In My Wood"

Wood materials are composed of small cells. The properties of these cells affect the use of wood materials throughout history and to today. One of the biggest differences in red oak and white oak are small crystals called tyloses that prevent material from flowing through white oak. Red oak has open pores from one end to the other that we can demonstrate. The holes in wood can be seen under a microscope and are important to creating all of the wood materials and objects that we use today. Other plant based materials like bamboo and palm are also filled with holes!

Dr. Daniel Hindman is Associate Professor in Wood Science and Forest Products. The Wood Science and Forest Products Department explores every scientific aspect of wood and fiber-based materials; from structure to chemistry to manufacturing and marketing. The Department strives to improve the use of sustainable, biological, renewable resources.