Difference between Compression Wood and Tension Wood

Environmental factors like wind, gravity may induce production of wood with special features, properties or growth patterns. The wood thus formed on leaning trunks or branches by the environmental stress is called as reaction wood.

Reaction wood are of 2 types

1. Compression wood

2. Tension wood

1. Compression wood:

1. It is the reaction wood of conifers which develops on the lower side of leaning trunk or branch

2. It is formed by the increases cambial activity on the lower side of the branch

3. It is 15-40% heavier than the normal wood and is rich in lignin

4. Formed in conifers like Pinus

2. Tension wood:

1. It is the reaction wood of dicots which develops on the upper side of leaning trunk or branch

2. It is formed by the increases cambial activity on the upper side of the branch

3. It is rich in cellulose and gelatinous fibres

4. Formed in dicots like Mango tree, Acacia etc