The growth and height of a tree relies in part on the ‘quality’ of the wood making up its stem. The mechanical properties of the wood are due to the make-up of the matrix of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin - that, in turn, make up the xylem. However, decay by microorganisms can reduce its mechanical strength, so many tree species seek to increase the durability of their wood; and this is determined, in part, by the presence of tannin

The growth and height of a tree relies in part on the ‘quality’ of the wood making up its stem. The mechanical properties of the wood are due to the make-up of the matrix of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin - that, in turn, make up the xylem. However, decay by microorganisms can reduce its mechanical strength, so many tree species seek to increase the durability of their wood; and this is determined, in part, by the presence of tannin