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Wood Species Identification1 Day: Saturday, July 13th, 2024, 9AM-5PM
Tuition: $250
Ages: 18 & Up
Instructor: Tom Nehil
Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Program Description:
In this full day workshop, participants will gain skills needed to identify woods no matter what the sample size, be it a board, a log, or a small sample. The class will focus on common hardwoods and softwoods of North America. Skills learned can be applied to identification of non-native species as well.
Participants will learn to identify woods by studying both macroscopic and microscopic anatomical features. A great deal of information can be obtained simply by observing the structure of the wood viewed on the end grain with a hand lens and referring to Bruce Hoadley’s book Identifying Wood, but that doesn’t always suffice so additional tools will be presented, such as use of other reference books, samples, on-line databases and the microscope. Participants will receive a packet of reference materials to take with them, including samples of North American woods, a hand lens, tree and wood identification references, and other resources.
There will be hands-on exercises throughout the day working with the wood samples provided to help gain confidence and proficiency in identifying diagnostic characteristics. At the end of the day, all should be ready to put the knowledge gained into immediate practice. Wood identification requires a combination of practical skills and scientific knowledge and, like any craft, requires practice to master. Participants will be well on their way after this class.
Learning Objectives:
Know which physical characteristics can be used as clues to species identification
Have a basic knowledge of wood anatomy on a macroscopic and a microscopic level necessary for practical wood identification
Understand what to look for when examining wood in hand, using hand held magnifiers, and using the microscope
Have knowledge of good reference materials, including on-line resources, for wood
identification
Be able to identify many hardwood species commonly encountered in North America as well as several softwood species
Be able to apply wood identification techniques to an unknown wood sample
Required Tool/Supply List:
A razor sharp knife (we will also have some available)
A sharp block plane (we will also have some available)
Your own copy of Hoadley’s Identifying Wood
A small sample (under 1 pound) of an unknown wood of North American origin
About The Instructor:
Tom Nehil is a structural engineer in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he specializes in evaluation, preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Tom is a member of the Timber Framers Guild and Timber Frame Engineering Council and chairs the Timber Grading Training Committee. He is a member of the Association for Preservation Technology, the Michigan Barn Preservation Network and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network along with other professional organizations. He is a regular instructor at Tillers International in Kalamazoo where he teaches wood identification, timber frame design, and traditional stone masonry. Tom’s interest in wood goes back to his days as a young professional carpenter prior to starting his engineering career. He is a woodworker, wood turner, and timber framer in his spare time.
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days
Class Size: Minimum 5 Students, Maximum 10
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
1375 N. Main St #41, Adrian, MI, United States, Michigan 49221
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