Module specification

Title

/ Timber processing and use
Code / PF238
Level / 5
Credit rating / 10
Pre-requisites / Botany (PL110)
Forestry science (PF234) or Tree biology (PF231)
Type of module / Extensive, delivered over one semester
Aims / This module aims to:
·  Introduce the students to the methods of converting trees into marketable products.
·  Examine existing and potential markets for these products.
Learning outcomes/objectives / By the end of the module, students should be able to-
1.  Describe the processing methods used to convert trees into marketable products and evaluate the suitability of these methods to product quality and value.
2.  Describe the processes used for drying and treatment of timber products and evaluate the suitability of these processes to product quality and value, and intended use.
3.  Describe the structure, properties and common defects in wood and evaluate the impacts of these aspects on the processing, treatment, potential use and value of the timber products.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the range of timber products available in the UK and their intended/potential uses, market outlets and relative values.
Content / ·  Processing: cleaving, chainsaw mills, circular saws, mobile band saws, static band saws, gang saws, vertical/horizontal mills. Cutting patterns, quarter-sawn, through and through, tangential, radial, cant sawn, end grain products.
·  Drying and treatment: principles of dying, advantages of drying, added value, air drying, kiln drying, solar drying, shrinkage and movement. Requirements of preservatives, coal tar oils, water borne and organic borne. Incising, Bethel, Boulton, Reuping, Lowry, Open tank, sap displacement, double vacuum, diffusion, surface treatment.
·  Structure, properties and defects: conifer & broadleaf, cell structure, celluloses, lignin, grain, texture, moisture content, strength, elasticity, growth rings, trachieds, vessel elements, rays, parenchyma, resin canals. Natural defects, knots, irregular grain, reaction wood, juvenile wood, brittle heart, compression failures, bark pockets, pitch pockets, warping, case hardening, collapse, honeycombing, checks and splits, shake, sloping grain, raised grain, response to sawing, torn grain.
·  Timber products and uses: fencing, timber frame buildings, traditional wood houses, scaffold boards, joinery, packaging, railway sleepers, furniture, mining timbers, rustic crafts, charcoal, fuel wood, chips, pulp and paper.
Teaching and learning strategies / This module will be delivered through a combination of formal lectures, guided research and site visits.
30 hours contact time; 70 hours private study.
Learning support / BOWYER JL, SHMULSKY R & HAYGREEN, JG (2003) Forest products and Wood Science (4th ed.). Iowa State University Press.
BROWN W (1987) Conversion and Seasoning of Wood Stobart Davies Ltd.
DESCH HE & DINWOODIE JM (1996) Timber: Structure, Properties, Conversion and Use Palgrave Macmillan.
DINWOODIE JM (2000) Timber: Its Nature and Behaviour. Spon Press.
EDLIN HL (1977) What Wood is That?: A Manual of Wood Identification Stobart Davies Ltd.
HOADLEY RB (1991) Identifying Wood: Accurate Results with Simple Tools Taunton Press.
LINCOLN WA (1986) World Woods in Colour Stobart Davies Ltd.
SELF CR (2001) Woodworkers Guide to Selecting and Milling Wood Betterway Books.
WILSON K & WHITE JB(1986) The Anatomy of Wood Stobart Davies Ltd.
Assessment tasks / Timber properties and use. Research and written report (60%)
Closed book examination (40%)
Brief description of module content and/or aims (maximum 80 words) / This module will introduce the students to the product side of forestry. Saw-milling, drying and timber treatment will be examined in light of wood properties and structure as well as intended use and potential markets. The value of timber and the added value of processing and treatment will play a part in this study.
Area examination board to which module relates / Plumpton
Module team/authors/coordinator / Kevin Warwick, Robin Jackson
Semester offered, where appropriate / 2
Site where delivered / Plumpton
Date of first approval / 25th April 2005
Date of last revision
Date of approval of this version
Version number / 1
Replacement for previous module / N/A
Field for which module is acceptable and status in that field / N/A
Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in that course / FdSc Forestry and Woodland management (optional)
FdSc Arboriculture (optional)
School home / Plumpton
External examiner / Norman Day

20/7/05