The utilization of tree bark

Abstract

The utilization of natural raw materials has been practiced for centuries. Of raw materials, wood and its bark have outstanding significance because of their special chemical components and unusual structure. Annual bark production is estimated to be between 300 and 400 million m3. The bark of different tree species has been used extensively in or in conjunction with modern technologies. This article presents a comprehensive summary of these methods of utilization and their results. The diversity of bark utilization derives from the variety of the bark of different species and from the possibilities encoded in the material. Following the anatomic summary, the protective role of the bark is discussed, highlighting its physical-chemical properties and the different methods of medical, energetic, and industrial utilization.