Definition of Terms (Glossary)
Understanding The Data
The information in The Wood Explorer database has been compiled from hundreds of sources over a period of nearly ten years.
Overview
We have found there is rarely definitive data on any one characteristic of any one species. Even dry weight might be reported as 10 different values from 10 different scientific sources. Items such as “ease of sawing” or “heartwood color” might be reported very differently from source to source, making it difficult to provide accurate and useful data.
While you may have been relying on one or two books for information in the past, our experience has taught us that there are often numerous other reputable sources providing different data on the exact species and items you have researched in the past. After all, the nature of wood is hardly an exact science.
Our Approach
Our approach to compiling the data has been two-fold:
1. For the Numerical data (i.e. weight, bending strength, hardness, etc.), we have gathered as much information as possible for any given item and any given species, and then analyzed that data to provide one single value we believe is likely to be as reliable as possible at this time. Those are the numbers you see in this database.
If you see a number in the Dry column that has a decimal point at the end of it (such as 1957.), that value has been extrapolated from the green value. The extrapolation is based on a single multiplier created by factoring in all the green-to-dry value ratios for all the species for which we have both green and dry figures for that particular item (i.e. crushing strength). In the majority of cases (more than 75% of the time), the extrapolated value should fall within plus or minus 10% of the actual value;
2. For all the remaining data, it is generally presented in a form so that you can make your own decision based on the data we have found reported in the literature.Table cells (colored squares) are used to give an assessment of the likelihood of a characteristic for any given item. The more symbols, the more likely it is that the value shown is the most accurate information for that characteristic.
Number of Squares
One or two colored squares, however, does not necessarily indicate a specific item cannot be relied on. The item may be quite accurate, but the lack of more symbols indicates there are few reports on that item in any of the published literature.
Attention should be placed on those instances where there is conflicting information for the same item. For example, grain may be reported as coarse or fine for the same species. If a “coarse” description is shown with more squares than the “fine” description, you may wish to conclude the grain of that wood is generally coarse. However, please keep in mind the discrepancies we are showing simply reflect what we have found in the published literature.
In the case of Common Uses, Common Names, Location of Origin, and a few other characteristics, we have simply included all the information we have found from all the literature sources for that item.
Two Sections or Paragraphs of Data?
When reviewing the text data for a species (i.e. the non-numerical data), you will often see what appear to be two nearly identical sections of information for the same characteristic. The first section of data is designed to give you an overview of those characteristics, while the second section (if there is one) should give more specific detailed information. This reflects our best approach right now to a very complicated issue.
We acknowledge that even our best efforts at compiling and presenting this information has still left holes in the information, as well as questions regarding the definitive qualities of any given species. It is for this reason we have designed this site so users (people like yourself) can contribute new data based on personal experience.
We hope you find this information useful. We believe it is the best available today.