The wood from the trees: The use of timber in construction

Trees, and their derivative products, have been used by societies around the world for thousands of years. Contemporary construction of tall buildings from timber, in whole or in part, suggests a growing interest in the potential for building with wood at a scale not previously attainable. As wood is the only significant building material that is grown, we have a natural inclination that building in wood is good for the environment. But under what conditions is this really the case? The environmental benefits of using timber are not straightforward; although it is a natural product, a large amount of energy is used to dry and process it. Much of this can come from the biomass of the tree itself, but that…

• LT
  Leverhulme Trust
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• EA
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Awards: EP/K011774/1, EP/K011774/1, EP/M01679X/1