Wood is a structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin that resists compression. Wood is used for various purposes such as fuel, construction material, making tools and weapons, furniture, and paper. It is a versatile and sustainable material, with desirable acoustic properties and the ability to convey water and nutrients between different parts of the plant. Wood is also a raw material for wood-based panels, pulp and paper, and many chemical products. It is produced by an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 species of plants, including herbaceous ones, though only 3,000 to 4,000 species produce wood that is suitable for use as a material.
Wood is a hard, fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers (which are strong in tension) embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression. The chemical composition of wood varies from species to species, but is approximately 50% carbon, 42% oxygen, 6% hydrogen, 1% nitrogen, and 1% other elements (mainly calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and manganese) by weight. Wood also contains sulphur, chlorine, silicon, phosphorus, and other elements in small quantity. Hardwood tends to come from slow-growing, deciduous trees with broad leaves, while softwoods come from conifers (cone-bearing trees) .
