Primary Wood Processing Principles and Practice [Hardcover]

This book is primarily a general text covering the whole sweep of the forest industries. The over-riding emphasis is on a clear, simple interpretation of the underlying science, demonstrating how such principles apply to processing operations. The book considers the broad question what is wood? by looking at the biology, chemistry and physics of wood structure. Wood quality is examined, and explanations are offered on how and why wood quality varies and the implications for processing. Finally, various industrial processes are reviewed and interpreted. All chapters have been written by specialists, but the presentation targets a generalist audience.

This revised book is primarily a general text covering the whole sweep of the forest industries. It has no competitors with regard to its philosophical approach to the subject, and it is the only book covering the subject in a way comprehensible for the generalist.

Samuel Johnson (of Boswell fame) said about writing, whatever is written without effort is in general read without pleasure and the unexamined word is not worth reading. However, even the most thoughtfully written text is unlikely to be described as a good read. This book is not an exhaustive review. Rather it is an uneven selection of examples whose interplay across disciplines hopefully illuminates what drives the practice of forest production, wood processing and consumer preferences. The choice of material is arbitrary reflecting personal biases. It is a summary of material presented to students at the NZ School of Forestry at the University of Canterbury. This book takes liberties with other peoples ideas, weaving them into fresh themes that are at best a work in progress. The philosopher Francis Bacon argued that science is a debate in progress not a body of knowledge and also truth emerges more readily from error than confusion. We have taken the position that it is preferable to venture a reasoned opinioló(