Forest Products Terminology

T field of forest products is a blend of several subjects—forestry, biology, chemistry, and engineering, among many others. This blending can at times lead to communication gaps between disciplines and create confusion for consumers. Inaccuracies can lead to the inappropriate utilization of wood, shortening its service life, or worse, creating safety hazards. It is therefore pertinent for users of wood to become familiar with wood science and technology terminology. This will help to minimize confusion as well as increase accuracy in communication. This fact sheet, while not comprehensive, will introduce the North American wood user to many of the forest products industry’s agencies, organizations, and terms.