Understanding Wood
by R. Bruce Hoadley

Review by Mark Gezella – April 2003

Do you think watching paint dry is exciting? Have you ever spent time watching wood warp or cup?? Ever ponder the specific gravity of a chunk of wood you want to work???

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, have I got a book for you!

This month’s review is about a book I also have in my personal library, it’s not meant for light reading; rather it’s a compendium of information about wood usage and behavior in all stages of its life cycle.

This could be (and possibly is at some institutions) considered a text for wood science and/or technology courses. Mr. Hoadley, a respected wood technologist, describes in great detail how wood behaves as it’s processed. It wood (pun intended!) take some effort to actually sit down and read the book from cover to cover, but it’s and incredible resource for situations when wood movement must be known. It is well illustrated and contains extensive detail on how a tree grows and how it can be processed for items we are so familiar with, and some we are not.

Chapters include topics such as wood in its natural state, wood figure due to growth, infestations, etc., the effects of water on wood, wood movement, strength, reaction to glues and preservations, where to locate wood and on and on. It even covers some aspects that aren’t thought of first hand, such as the psychological effects wood can have on a person. There is also a chapter on wood identification, but Mr. Hoadley has expounded on this in a separate book entitled "Identifying Wood", perhaps a topic for a later review.

As if all of this weren’t enough, there is an exhaustive list of tables and factors related to wood usage; e.g., growth rings and stability, specific gravity, average clamping pressure, lumber grading, etc. The author also includes manufactured wood products (particle board, plywood, engineered lumber) in his evaluations.

The Taunton Press has come through for us again. This book along with the other book on wood identification are both available from the publisher. They can be purchased separately, but I have also seen them packaged together as a discounted set.

I think anyone who has an interest in the science behind our craft will find this book a valuable reference. This book is currently available for checkout in the Guild Library.