Taxus baccata

Taxus baccata L. – Taxus baccata L.

group: SOFTWOODS

Macroscopic structure of wood

heartwood/sapwood: 	heartwood

description: narrow sapwood (do 3 cm), yellowish; heartwood yellowish to reddish brown

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

resin canals: absent

rays: invisible

texture: flatsawn (T), radial figure (R) a burl figure (T); very decorative wood

other: 	biologicaly active

Microscopic structure of wood

brief overview: 	without RC; ray HomC, low; spiral thickenings

ring: 	gradual transition from early wood to late wood tracheids in ring	X

bordered pits on tracheids: 	one in a row	R

tracheid thickenings: 	very distinct (steeper spral)	R, T

resin canals: 	absent	X, T

rays: 	homocellular	R

width of rays	uniseriate	T, (X)

height of rays: 	low to medium high, 2–15 (20)	T

cross field pitting: 	cupressoid (2–4)	R

axial parenchyma: 	absent

Wood properties

density: 	moderate heavy to heavy

ρ 0: 	640 až 750 kg/m3

ρ 12-15: 	690 až 810 kg/m3

ρ green: 	1200 kg/m3

shrinkage: 	medium

- volumetric (βV): 	9,7 %

- radial (βR): 	3,7 %

- tangential (βT): 	5,7 %

mechanical properties: 	strong and elastic

ultimate strength in compression ||: 	58 MPa

ultimate strength in bending: 	92 MPa

ultimate strength in tension ||: 	MPa

hardness: 	hard

Janka's hardness: 	MPa

technological properties: 	no problem with drying, working, finishing

resistance: 	rated as very resistant to decay

Wood utilization

valuable in artistic furniture and woodcarving; veneers, marquetry, weapons in the past (bows, arrows, crossbow, spear)

References