Autores: Luis G. Esteban, Paloma de Palacios, Peter Gasson, Alberto García-Iruela,
Francisco García-Fernández and Lydia García-Esteban
Publicación: Forests 15, 1162.
Enlace DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071162
Resumen: Hardwoods are complex heterogeneous and orthotropic structures that have evolved to
the present day, adapting to successive climate episodes to prosper on Earth. Attributing a specific
functionality to individual hardwood elements is difficult because of their interconnection in this
heterogeneous three-dimensional network. However, tree physiology research is helping to enhance
knowledge in this field. This work is a short review of the possible functionalities of hardwood
elements, in some cases supported by experimentation and in others by comparative anatomy. It
is intended for students or researchers starting out in the world of hardwood anatomy to aid their
understanding of the functionality of hardwood elements.