Latewood / Summerwood  - In cross section, latewood or summerwood, is the xylem which has become lignified (became wood) in the summer.  It proceeds the Early or Springwood.  It is the last wood to be formed in the current growth increment.  In girth we break down the current growth and lignifications into two periods - Early and late, or as some label it - Spring and Summer.  Remember the cambium zone does not produce wood on the inside, but, xylem.  The new born material is not correctly termed wood until it is lignified.  See “Early” or “Springwood".  Free water moves only in the latewood of the current increment, during the end of the growth period, in some tyloses- forming ring porous species of trees, such as American elm.  Click here for picture.  (See TREE ANATOMY, SHIGO, 1994)

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