Identification of Timbers using Wood Microstructures.

The wood microstructure of seventeen timbers of Nigeria were studied and their characteristic features used in the construction of a dichotomous key for their separation and identification. Pairs of contrasting features such as distinct and indistinct growth layers; wide and narrow vessel diameters; wide and narrow ray widths in the transection; apotracheal and paratracheal axial parenchyma; presence and absence of tyloses, homocellular and heterocellular ray types were prominent among the features studied. Based on these features observed, a comprehensive indented key was constructed for the separation and identification of the timbers.