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Tension wood is a type of reaction wood found on the upper side of tree branches and leaning trunks. It is characterized by narrower, thinner-walled wood and fiber elements. This type of wood experiences excessive longitudinal shrinkage and can collapse when drying.1

In hardwoods, tension wood forms on the upper side of the lower trunk and exerts a contractive force, helping to pull the tree upright. While the name might suggest it's due to tension, it's actually a morphogenetic phenomenon. Tension wood fibers can have a specialized, lignin-devoid layer that makes the wood fuzzy when cut. Lumber from tension wood may warp and shrink more than normal wood.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. tension wood
  2. tree - Wood adaptations

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