Juniperus communis

Juniperus communis'' L. – Common juniper

group: 	SOFTWOODS

Macroscopic structure of wood

heartwood/sapwood: 	heartwood

description: narrow sapwood (up to 3 cm), yellowish; heartwood yellowish brown (Common juniper); very often irregular shape; often uneven streaks of colour

rings: 	distinct boundary between rings, very narrow and very often wavy rings; very gradual transition from early wood to late wood in ring

resin canals: 	absent

rays: 	invisible

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

other: 	very distinct odour

Microscopic structure of wood

brief overview: 	without RC; ray HomC, low; longitudinal parenchyma

ring: 	very narrow and wavy rings; very gradual transition from early wood to late wood tracheids in ring	P

bordered pits on tracheids: 	one in a row	R

tracheid thickenings: 	absent	R, T

resin canals: 	absent	P, T

rays: 	homocellular	R

width of rays	uniseriate	T, (P)

height of rays: 	low, 2–5 (ojediněle 15–20)	T

cross field pitting: 	cupressoid (1–4)	R

axial parenchyma: 	singly cells or tangential arrangement	P, (R, T)

Wood properties

density: 	light to moderate heavy

ρ 0: 	520 kg/m3

ρ 12-15: 	550 kg/m3

ρ green: 	750 kg/m3

shrinkage: 	low

- volumetric (βV): 	8 %

- radial (βR): 	3,1 %

- tangential (βT): 	4,7 %

mechanical properties: 	strong and elastic

ultimate strength in compression ||: 	24,6 MPa

ultimate strength in bending: 	48,3 MPa

ultimate strength in tension ||: 	MPa

hardness: 	soft

Janka's hardness: 	MPa

technological properties: 	no problem with drying, working, finishing

resistance: 	rated as resistant to decay and insect

Wood utilization

valuable in artistic furniture and woodcarving (cane, pipe stem)

References