late wood

noun

1. summerwood.

late wood

1. The part of the wood in a growth ring of a tree that is produced later in the growing season. The cells of late wood are smaller and have thicker cell walls than those produced earlier in the season. Within a growth ring, the change of early wood to late wood is gradual, but each layer of early wood from the next growing season makes an abrupt contrast with the late wood before it, thus leading to the perception of rings.
2. Compare early wood

Word History and Origins

Origin of late wood¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

This is particularly the case with thick-walled cells such as are found in late wood.

From Project Gutenberg

In woods with very decided contrast between early and late wood the two forms are usually distinct.

From Project Gutenberg

The width of ring, that is, the number per inch, is not nearly so important as the proportion of the late wood in the ring.

From Project Gutenberg

No satisfactory explanation can as yet be given for the real causes underlying the formation of early and late wood.

From Project Gutenberg

In obtaining data regarding the rate of growth and the proportion of late wood the same procedure is followed as with large beams.

From Project Gutenberg