Systematic Application of Wood Data

Abstract

This book is not concerned directly with wood identification, although recognition of the wood features discussed in the preceding chapters is essential for work in wood identification. The present chapter is concerned with establishment of degrees of relationship. In wood identification, a match of an unknown wood with known woods is attempted by looking for diagnostic features. In systematic application of wood data, degrees of difference among species, genera, and families are assessed. In some studies, a number of similarities are present between taxa judged to be related on the sum of evidence. In such woods, which features are indicative of relationships, and which resemblances are indicative of parallel evolution?