assignment #8-A

WANT TO LIVE IN A TREE?
You probable already do. Your house was once a tree. It grew and was cut down and made into lumber that made your house.
I have observed trees floating in the American river in Oregon and wondered if the water might cause damage. The water not only transports the logs to the mill, but helps to preserve them. Trees are milled about thirty days after they are cut down.
At the mill the trees are cut into boards. The boards must be dried to prevent twisting and splitting. They are weighted down and stacked so air circulates around each board. Because the ends dry faster than the middle latex paint is applied to the end of each board.
Have you ever looked at wood paneling or a door with the natural wood grain showing and wondered how that beautiful design was accomplished? It is made by cutting the log vertically into four pieces and opening it like a book.
All trees are not suitable for building houses because of fire or insect damage. A tree defends itself by filling sap into the holes made by insects. During a long dry season, if a tree does not get enough water, it cannot produce the sap needed to fend off burrowing insects. The wood of this tree is weaker and is less desirable. One item made from the damaged logs is wooden pallets (platform). Item are stacked on the pallets and transferred from the factory to the store.
A useful wood byproduct is Particle board. It is made by combining Resin (strong glue) with discarded wood products (sawdust, chips, etc.) compressing it and putting it through a curing oven. It is made into large sheets. It is a cheaper alternative to wood. Particle board is used in making, furniture and houses. Before the invention of particle board in the 1940’s discarded wood products were burned and added to air pollution.
So you see, you don’t need to be a monkey to live in a tree.
Research:
I interviewed managing personal at a large lumber company.
Research through Google: Lumbering manufacturing and Particle board manufacturing