Preface; Contents; Part I: Wood, a Truly Remarkable Material; 1: The Anatomical Structure of Wood; 2: Wood Characteristic or Defect?; 3: General Factors Leading to the Formation of Wood Characteristics; 3.1 Genetic Predispositions, Genetic Alterations; 3.1.1 Conclusion; 3.2 Impact of Physiological Processes Occurring Within the Tree; 3.2.1 Conclusion; 3.3 Light/Radiation; 3.3.1 Conclusion with regard to the impact of light/radiation; 3.4 Mechanical Stress; 3.4.1 Conclusion to the influence of mechanical stress; 3.5 Injury; 3.5.1 Conclusion to stem injury

3.6 Summary of the general factors that lead to the formation of wood characteristicsPart II: Wood Characteristics Overview; 4: Overview of the Main Wood Characteristics; Part III: Description of the Wood Characteristics; 5: Wood Characteristics Inherent in a Tree's Natural Growth; 5.1 Stem Contour Modifications; 5.1.1 Taper (Richter 2002a); 5.1.1.1 Description; 5.1.1.2 Causes; 5.1.1.3 Prevention; 5.1.1.4 Impact on Use; 5.1.1.5 Technological Adaptation; 5.1.2 Crookedness (Richter and Mahler 2003); 5.1.2.1 Causes; 5.1.2.2 Prevention; 5.1.2.3 Impact on Use; 5.1.2.4 Technological Adaptation

5.1.3 Forking (Richter 2002b)5.1.3.1 Description; 5.1.3.2 Causes; 5.1.3.3 Prevention; 5.1.3.4 Impact on Use; 5.1.3.5 Technological Adaptation; 5.1.4 Out-of-Roundness; 5.1.4.1 Ovality/Eccentric Growth (Richter 2002c); 5.1.4.1.1 Description; 5.1.4.1.2 Causes; 5.1.4.1.3 Prevention; 5.1.4.1.4 Impact on Use; 5.1.4.1.5 Technological Adaptation; 5.1.4.2 Seams, Flutes, and Flanges (Richter 2005a); 5.1.4.2.1 Description; 5.1.4.2.2 Causes; 5.1.4.2.3 Prevention; 5.1.4.2.4 Impact on Use; 5.1.4.2.5 Technological Adaptation; 5.2 Limbiness; 5.2.1 Live and Dead Limbs, Epicormic Shoots, and Branches

5.2.1.1 Description5.2.1.2 Causes; 5.2.1.3 Prevention; 5.2.1.4 Impact on Use; 5.2.1.5 Technological Adaptation; 5.2.2 Limb Scars; 5.2.2.1 Description; 5.2.2.2 Causes; 5.2.2.3 Prevention; 5.2.2.4 Impact on Use; 5.2.2.5 Technological Adaptation; 5.3 Anatomical Structure; 5.3.1 Irregular Tree Rings/Growth Zones; 5.3.1.1 Description; 5.3.1.2 Causes; 5.3.1.3 Prevention; 5.3.1.4 Impact on Use; 5.3.1.5 Technological Adaptation; 5.3.2 Grain Orientation; 5.3.2.1 Spiral Growth (Richter 2003a); 5.3.2.1.1 Description; 5.3.2.1.2 Causes; 5.3.2.1.3 Prevention; 5.3.2.1.4 Impact on Use

5.3.2.1.5 Technological Adaptation5.3.2.2 Grain Orientation: Curly, Fiddleback, and Hazel Growth (Richter 2004b); 5.3.2.2.1 Description; 5.3.2.2.1.1 Assessment; 5.3.2.2.2 Causes; 5.3.2.2.3 Prevention; 5.3.2.2.4 Impact on Use; 5.3.2.2.5 Technological Adaptation; 6: Biotically Induced Wood Characteristics; 6.1 Impact of Microorganisms; 6.1.1 Necroses; 6.1.1.1 Description; 6.1.1.2 Causes; 6.1.1.2.1 Measurement; 6.1.1.3 Prevention; 6.1.1.4 Impact on Use; 6.1.1.5 Technological Adaptation