Structure and functions of the plant cells. Plant tissues. Plant organs: root, stem and leaves. Stem anatomy, morphology and functions. Vascular and phellogen cambium. Stem grow. Tissues and sections of woody stem. Water and organic compounds transport. Photosynthesis and carbon stock function of the wood. Stem bark. Wood anatomy. Description and identification of the main tree species for timber production and trade
1) Pasqua G., Abbate G., Forni C., 2010. Botanica Generale e Diversità Vegetale. Piccin, Padova
2) Grossoni P., Bruschi P., Bussotti F., Selvi F., 2018. Trattato di Botanica forestale. 1. Parte Generale e Gimnosperme. CEDAM Scienze Naturali Wolters Kluwer. Milano
3) Gellini R., Grossoni P., 1997. Botanica forestale. II. Angiosperme. CEDAM. Padova
4) Nardi Berti R. (ed. a cura di Berti S., Fioravanti M., Macchioni N.) 2017
5) La struttura anatomica del legno, CNR – Ivalsa, Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze
6) Carlquist S. 2001. Comparative Wood Anatomy, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg
7) Crivellaro A., Schweingruber F. H. 2013. Atlas of Wood Bark and Pith Anatomy of Eastern Mediterranean Trees and Shrubs with a Special Focus of Cyprus, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg
Learning Objectives
Knowledge on plant morphology, physiology and ecology of the main Italian and tropical timbers for trades, building and design. Knowledge on wood anatomy of the tree species. Identification and description of the wood anatomy characteristics of the tree species. Ability to reasoning on technical issues on wood identification and evaluation. Identification of the tree species in the field from leaf, crown and stem bark characteristics; identification of the tree species in the lab from macro- and microscopic characteristics of the wood
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
Frontal learning (class-lessons). Lab exercitations with preparation and description of wood samples for macroscopic and microscopic. Field exercitations in botanical garden, forests and urban parks, together with other courses
Further information
None
Type of Assessment
Test of tree species identification by means of anatomical characteristics (wood anatomy test), oral examination
Course program
The structure and functions of the plant cells. Plant tissues. Plant organs: root, stem and leaves. The stem: anatomy, morphology and functions. Vascular and phellogen cambium. Stem grow. Tissues and sections of woody stem. Water and organic compounds transport. Photosynthesis and carbon stock function of the wood. Shape and function of the bark. Plant systematic and taxonomy. Wood anatomy. Knowledge and identification of the main Italian and exotic tree species for trades and industrial uses.