Difference between Timber and Wood

Key difference: The term ‘wood’ is used to refer to the trees, specifically it refers to the substance that trees are made out of. Wood is the hard, fibrous structural tissue that is commonly found in the stems and roots of the trees. It is a natural composite of cellulose fibers. Timber, on the other hand, can be used to refer to any stage of the wood after the tree has been cut down. This may include the felled tree, the wood processed for construction, wood pulp for paper production, etc. Timber is also known as lumber.

 Dictionary.com defines ‘wood’ as

• The hard, fibrous substance composing most of the stem and branches of a tree or shrub, and lying beneath the bark; the xylem.
• The trunks or main stems of trees as suitable for architectural and other purposes; timber or lumber.

Essentially, the term ‘wood’ is used to refer to the trees, specifically it refers to the substance that trees are made out of. Wood is the hard, fibrous structural tissue that is commonly found in the stems and roots of the trees. It is a natural composite of cellulose fibers. These fibers are strong in tension and are embedded in a matrix of lignin, due to which the wood is able to resist compression.

Wood plays numerous roles in the anatomy of the tree. It primary function is to provide support to the tree, in order to enable it to remain straight and grow upward in height. The height is important for the tree as the higher it is, the closer to the sun it gets and the leaves are then able to absorb the sunlight and use it in the process of photosynthesis. Hence, the wood’s support function relates directly to the tree’s ability to acquire food and hence survive. Furthermore, the wood also mediates the transfer of water and nutrients to the leaves and other growing tissues. Again, this is essential for the tree in order to survive.

In addition to the above mentioned, the term ‘wood’ is also used to refer to other plant materials that are similar in nature to the ‘hard, fibrous structural tissue.’ It may also refer to materials that are engineered or created from wood, wood chips or fiber. This may include ‘wooden furniture,’ ‘wooden houses,’ ‘wooden toys,’ etc.

Timber, on the other hand, can be used to refer to any stage of the wood after the tree has been cut down. This may include the felled tree, the wood processed for construction, wood pulp for paper production, etc. Timber is also known as lumber.