Is wood orthotropic

Yes, wood is considered orthotropic, meaning it has different mechanical properties in three mutually perpendicular directions: along the grain (longitudinal), across the grain (tangential), and perpendicular to the grain (radial). This anisotropic behavior arises from its cellular structure, which consists of aligned fibers that provide strength and stiffness primarily in the direction of the grain. As a result, wood exhibits varying responses to stress, strain, and moisture in different orientations.