Blockboard
An engineered panel with a core of narrow softwood strips edge-glued together and faced on both sides with veneer. Used for shelving and furniture panels.
Read the definitionThe glossary
The trade terms you'll come across.
Plain-English definitions for the words that turn up when you're buying, specifying or working with timber.
Clear fell
A harvesting method where all trees in an area are cut down in a single operation. Most economical method but has significant ecological impacts.
Read the definitionCoppice
A method of woodland management where trees are cut to near ground level, and multiple new stems regrow from the stump (stool). Used for sustainable production of poles and small timber.
Read the definitionCoppicing
The traditional sustainable practice of repeatedly cutting trees (such as hazel, chestnut, or willow) at ground level to harvest new shoots, yielding a renewable supply of small-diameter timber.
Read the definitionEdge-glued panels
Solid wood panels created by joining narrow strips of boards edge-to-edge with adhesive. Also called butcher block or glued-laminated panels.
Read the definitionForest management
The planning and implementation of practices to maintain and enhance the health, productivity, and value of forest lands for various purposes.
Read the definitionFSC certification
Forest Stewardship Council certification — an independent third-party label verifying that forest products come from sustainably managed forests meeting environmental and social standards.
Read the definitionHardboard
A dense engineered panel made from exploded wood fibres, created by steaming and pressing under extreme pressure. Smooth on one side, textured on the other.
Read the definitionLumber
Timber that has been sawn and at least partially planed, ready for construction or woodworking. The North American term for sawn timber.
Read the definitionMDF
Medium density fibreboard — an engineered panel made from wood fibres bonded with resin under heat and pressure. Uniform density and smooth surface, widely used for painted cabinetry.
Read the definitionOSB
Oriented strand board — an engineered panel made from compressed wood strands oriented in specific directions. Replaces plywood in many structural applications.
Read the definitionParticleboard
An engineered wood panel made from wood chips, sawmill shavings, or sawdust bonded with synthetic resin and pressed. Cheaper than MDF but less dense.
Read the definitionPEFC certification
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification — an umbrella organisation promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. The world's largest forest certification system.
Read the definitionPlywood
An engineered wood panel made by gluing together thin sheets (veneer) of wood with alternating grain direction. The cross-lamination creates uniform strength in all directions.
Read the definitionPollarding
A woodland management practice similar to coppicing but performed higher up the trunk, above browse height. Allows regrowth while protecting new shoots from grazing animals.
Read the definitionPressure treatment
A process where chemical preservatives are forced deep into wood fibres under high pressure, significantly extending the service life of timber exposed to decay, insects, and moisture. Common for outdoor decking, fencing, and structural applications.
Read the definitionReforestation
The replanting of trees on land where forests have been cut down or destroyed, restoring forest cover and ecological function.
Read the definitionRegeneration
The process of renewing a forest stand through natural seeding, planting, or artificial means. Essential for sustainable forest management.
Read the definitionSelective felling
A harvesting method where only selected mature trees are cut, leaving the rest of the stand to regenerate naturally. More ecologically sustainable than clear felling.
Read the definitionSilviculture
The art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values.
Read the definitionSustainable forestry
Forest management that maintains biodiversity, productivity, and ecological processes while meeting social and economic needs for present and future generations.
Read the definitionTimber stock
Raw sawn wood ready to be worked into finished products. Refers to inventory of lumber available for a project.
Read the definitionVeneers
Thin sheets of wood (typically 0.6-1.5mm) sliced from a log and glued to a substrate to create a decorative surface with the figure of expensive wood at low cost.
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