2.1. Structure and chemical composition of wood
Wood is composed of millions of individual units called
cells, which differ in shape and size, depending on the tree’s
physiological function1. The cells that make up the xylem
of conifers have structures simpler than those of the dicotyledons.
The tracheids in conifers and the fibers in dicotyledons
constitute the greatest part of the cell wall and can be
credited with most of the wood’s physical and chemical
properties2.