Woodworking Wood Types And Properties 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the moisture content (MC) of wood refer to?
- The weight of water in wood expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry weight (Correct answer)
- The amount of sap present in fresh-cut lumber
- The humidity level where the wood is stored
- The ratio of heartwood to sapwood
Correct answer: The weight of water in wood expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry weight
Moisture content is the weight of water in a piece of wood expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry weight, and it affects stability and workability.
Question 2: What is 'heartwood'?
- The dense, darker inner core of a tree (Correct answer)
- The outer growth layer just beneath the bark
- The very center pith of the tree
- The section with the most knots
Correct answer: The dense, darker inner core of a tree
Heartwood is the older, denser inner wood of a tree, typically darker and more resistant to decay than the surrounding sapwood.
Question 3: Which wood is most commonly used for kitchen cutting boards due to its tight grain?
- Maple (Correct answer)
- Pine
- Balsa
- Poplar
Correct answer: Maple
Hard maple has a very tight, closed grain that resists bacteria and moisture absorption, making it the preferred choice for cutting boards.
Question 4: What causes knots in lumber?
- Branch stubs that were surrounded by the growing trunk (Correct answer)
- Insect damage within the tree
- Improper drying of the lumber
- Cuts made during milling
Correct answer: Branch stubs that were surrounded by the growing trunk
Knots form where branches once grew from the trunk, and as the tree continued to grow, the branch stub was encased within the expanding wood.
Question 5: What is the primary difference between quarter-sawn and flat-sawn lumber?
- Quarter-sawn lumber has growth rings nearly perpendicular to the face, making it more stable (Correct answer)
- Quarter-sawn lumber is always thicker
- Flat-sawn lumber is more expensive to produce
- Quarter-sawn lumber comes only from softwoods
Correct answer: Quarter-sawn lumber has growth rings nearly perpendicular to the face, making it more stable
Quarter-sawn lumber is cut so the growth rings are roughly perpendicular to the board face, resulting in greater dimensional stability and a distinctive ray fleck pattern.
Question 6: Which exotic wood is known for its deep reddish-brown color and is popular for fine furniture?
- Mahogany (Correct answer)
- Ash
- Alder
- Aspen
Correct answer: Mahogany
Mahogany is prized for its rich reddish-brown color, straight grain, and excellent workability, making it a classic choice for high-end furniture.
Woodworking Wood Types And Properties 2
What does the moisture content (MC) of wood refer to?