What is the impact of tension wood in leaning trees on veneer quality?

• A. It can lead to buckle when the veneer is dried.
• B. It eliminates buckling
• C. It has no effect on veneer quality
• D. It improves dimensional stability

Answer: (A)

Tension wood formed on the upper side of a leaning hardwood stem creates internal stresses and an altered fiber structure that behave differently when the veneer is dried. These stored stresses and the distinctive cell arrangement cause uneven shrinkage across the veneer layer. As a result, the veneer tends to buckle or warp during drying, lowering surface quality and dimensional stability. So, veneer from tension wood can buckle when dried. It does not eliminate buckling, nor does it improve stability; the effect is a deterioration in veneer quality due to the drying-induced distortion.