träslagets

Träslagets is a term used in forestry and wood science to denote the system for naming and categorizing timber species within a region's markets and regulations. While the word literally means "the wood species" in Swedish, in practice Träslagets refers to the standardised framework by which wood types are identified, described and compared in Nordic contexts.

Origin and scope: The concept developed in Scandinavian forestry literature during the 19th and 20th centuries as scientists and builders sought consistent names for species and predictable wood qualities. Today, Träslagets figures in national guidelines and trade manuals, and is referenced in certification schemes and construction codes.

Classification: The framework typically differentiates softwoods (conifers) from hardwoods (broadleaved trees) and links species names to widely recognised properties such as density, strength, dimensional stability, durability, and workability. It also notes typical uses—structural elements, joinery, flooring, or exterior cladding—and common treatments.

Applications and significance: Träslagets supports informed material selection for architects, engineers and carpenters, guides quality control in sawmilling and manufacturing, and underpins sustainability assessments by relating species to growth conditions and source regions.

See also: Timber, Wood science, Timber species, Hardwood, Softwood.