Central European wood species: characterization using old knowledge

Abstract

A characterization of wood species was made by analyzing almost 9000 museum objects which still carry the handwriting of former craftsmen. In total 48 different wood species could be distinguished, including 17 shrub species. In the next step, every part of museum inventory with a given wood species was connected to its required wood properties in use and technological demands. In this way, every wood species was characterized by its former utilization. It was found, that many wood species which are not in use anymore were highly appreciated. Many shrubs were used because of their high density, which provides also hardness and good resistance against abrasion. Some fruit-bearing trees would be worth utilizing in a more sophisticated and specialized way as they are used today. Most species are highly specialized and show individual wood properties, which becomes clear by focusing on how they were utilized.