Wood is undeniably the most versatile raw material found in nature and made available to humanity for its various structural and non-structural products or applications in human society. Through constant use of particular wood species for essential products beneficial to various societies around the world, such wood products, especially larger constructions, would thus be valued as part of human culture (contemporary or historical) in various regions for their distinct architectural beauty and acceptance.
How and why a particular wood species is processed and used by various societies over millennia is closely connected to the cultural heritage of each society while realizing a challenge to define wood quality in relation to target wood products. Unlike before, contemporary societies have developed wood and fiber science technologies to explore deeply into wood (as well as wood composite) quality of various wood species which reinforces man’s understanding and classification of woods for specific applications and such knowledge also reinforces man’s cultural/sociological appreciation of wood.
Similarly, a diversity of non-wood forest products have also been available among various cultures around the world. There is much interest also in traditional knowledge from forests unique to particular societies around the world. While mankind continues to explore, value and cherish a diversity of wood and other products from the forest as an intrinsic part of their lives, in time such sustained use and appreciation of these products would naturally become part of their cultural identity. The 2024 World Wood Day and Symposium theme “Diversity of Wood in Culture” celebrates the connection of wood and other forest-based products with people of different cultures.