noun
- the wood formed in the early part of the growing season, characterized by larger cells and lighter color; also called springwood.
Usage: forestry and wood science term; contrasts with latewood
Examples
- The earlywood in this oak tree is noticeably lighter than the surrounding latewood.
- Foresters examine the earlywood to determine the tree's growth rate during spring.
- The porous earlywood absorbs stain more readily than the dense latewood.
- Annual rings are visible because earlywood and latewood have different densities.
- Carpenters must account for the softer earlywood when selecting wood for structural projects.