Wood that is grown with special characteristics, special growth patterns, and other similar properties is known as reaction wood. As its name suggests, reaction wood is formed due to its ‘REACTION’ to various environmental factors such as wind, pressure, weather, gravity, and many more. The special growth patterns generally seen on the branches and trunks of various trees occur due to stress produced by the environment. There are two types of reaction wood:

• Compression wood
• Tension wood

Now the main difference between compression wood and tension wood is that compression wood is the reaction wood of conifers while tension wood is the reaction wood of dicotyledons.

What is compression wood?

Compression wood usually forms conifers on the lower part of the trunk. High lignin wood is compression wood and therefore strong in compression. In conifers, compression wood forms at the bottom of its branches. Being rich in lignin, one of its functions is to prevent the branch from falling. The medulla is not present in the center, but well above the central point, indicating much more development at the top. In cross section, these branches form an oval shape. If the compression wood had not formed, then progressive bending and cracking of the branches would have occurred. Compression wood is usually formed on the side of the branch that bears the most pressure. Thus, it helps to lengthen and straighten the curve. It is only 30% cellulose. Helps maintain flex angle, providing more strength. It is precisely a blessing.

Tension wood usually forms into dicots on the upper part of the trunk that is bent or bent. Stretched wood contains more cellulose than compressed wood, so it is very strong in tension and can easily resist bending or bending. Hardwoods like oak trees form tension wood at the top of the branch. Prevent the branch from falling or bending, they change to develop more wood at the bottom, which is called normal wood. It usually forms in the part of the plant that is under tension, pulling it towards the force that affects it. It has more cellulose than normal wood, about 60%.

Key differences

1. The reaction wood in angiosperms is tension wood and the reaction wood in gymnosperms is compression wood.
2. Compression wood forms at the bottom of the log, while tension wood forms at the top of the log.
3. Compression wood is rich in lignin, while tension wood is rich in cellulose.
4. Compression wood is formed in conifers such as pine trees. Tension wood in dicots such as mango.