People have used trees to make wood products for centuries. In the early years trees were primarily used for wood to produce simple tools and firewood. As the settlers began to arrive, the use of wood increased and wood was made into products such as fuel, fence posts, railroad ties, housing and other items.

In the process of making wood products, there was a tremendous amount of waste. The sawdust, bark and wood scraps had to be hauled away or burned, creating complications.

Scientists were concerned and began to look at ways to reduce waste and utilize the whole tree. From their research they developed now computerized sawmills and laser-guided saws to make more efficient cuts in the log, which allowed manufacturers to utilize more of the wood. Today, wood chemicals and by-products that were once wasted are now used to produce thousands of products we use every day.

* SEE TREE PRODUCT LIST IN POCKET OF FOLDER.
TEACHER PROCEDURE:

1) Read the TEACHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION to the students, then tell them they will be learning about products that are made from trees.

2) Divide your class into cooperative groups and direct them to discuss and record a list of products that they think come from trees (Activity sheet 2).

3) Have the students group the products under the following catego- ries: Wood Products, Paper Products, and Unusual Tree Products.
4) Write the same headings on the board with a column beneath each one: Wood Products, Paper Products, and Unusual Tree Products.

5) When the students have finished grouping the products, ask them to assign a recorder to take their lists to the board and copy them under the appropriate categories.

7) After all groups are finished recording, begin the all-group discussion period by finding common answers. Use this as a way to spark discussion and debate over the category listings. Use the answer key below to verify or correct their answers.

8) For closure, pose this question: What is the most unusual tree product that you use each day?

Answers:Wood products. baseball bat, chair, broom handle, house, violin, table, cabinet, wooden toy, wooden boat, wood paneling, oar, picture frame, dresser and bed frame. Paper products: party hat, gift wrapping, book, magazines, newspaper, milk carton, cereal box. Unusual products: sunglass frames, toothbrush, toothpaste, hard- hat, shaving cream, clothing, curtains, rug, comb, football helmet, soap.

EXTENSION CIUESTIONS:

1) Which product were you most surprised to find came from trees? Answer. Answers will vary. For more information see the tree product list located in the folder.

2) Do tree products come from a renewable resource? Answer. Yes, trees are a renewable resource. When trees are harvested to make products, many new seedlings are planted and grown to replace them. The forest cycle is continuous.

3) Looking at the list of paper and wood products, can you think of a substitute material from which to make these products? Would the substitute material be as efficient, cheap and renewable? Answer. Answers will vary. Plastics and metals are possible substitutes for some items, but both come from nonrenewable resources and require more energy to manufacture.