Prunus domestica

Prunus domestica L. – Common Plum

group: 	SEMI-RING-POROUS HARDWOODS

Macroscopic structure of wood

heartwood/sapwood: 	heartwood

description: 	narrow sapwood (1–3 cm), yellowish; heartwood pinkish to reddish brown (sometimes violet shades)

rings: 	distinct boundary between rings; distinct zone of early wood and late wood in rings

vessels:	only micropores in wood (longitudinal sections smooth); lighter layer of early wood within a ring due to higher abundance of micropoes

rays: 	numerous ray flack, visible only in R

texture: 	flatsawn (T) and radial figure (R); decorative wood

other: 	texture and colour are very nice

Microscopic structure of wood

brief overview: 	Rays 1–7, HomG*; more microvessels in early wood, spiral thickenings of vessels

ring: 	visible early and late wood within ring	X

vessel types and arrangements: 	only microvessels; higher frequency of micro vessels in early wood, microvessels solitary or in radial multiples (2–4)	X

type of vessel perforation: 	simple	R

vessel thickenings: 	fine spiral	R, T

rays: 	homogeneous (slightly heterogeneous)	R, T

width of rays	1–7	T, (X)

apotracheal parenchyma: 	slightly numerous – diffuse 	X

tracheids in basic tissue: 	numerous – fibre tracheids	R, T

other: 	heartwood substances in vessels

Wood properties

density: 	moderate heavy to heavy

ρ 0: 	720 kg/m3

ρ 12-15: 	750 kg/m3

ρ green: 	1000 kg/m3

shrinkage: 	medium

- volumetric (βV): 	13,7 %

- radial (βR): 	5,7 %

- tangential (βT): 	7,1 %

mechanical properties: 	strong, brittle

ultimate strength in compression ||: 	74 MPa

ultimate strength in bending: 	99 MPa

ultimate strength in tension ||: 	MPa

hardness: 	moderate hard

Janka's hardness: 	51 MPa

technological properties: 	it's necessary slowly drying (very often formation of crack), no problem with working and finishing

Wood utilization

small interest of timber trade, very decorative wood; woodcarving, turning wood, marquetry, wood haberdashery, imitation jewellery and small decorative objects

References