Wood Fibers (Fiber-Tracheids and Libriform Fibers)

Skinny, pointy, and tough

In the wood of flowering trees, like oak and maple, there are wide water pipes. Packed all around them are wood fibers. Scientists call them fiber-tracheids and libriform fibers (say it: LIB-rih-form).

• They are very long and thin, with pointy ends.
• Their walls are very thick, so the hollow space inside is tiny.
• Most of them die when they are finished growing.

Making wood strong

Wood fibers don't carry much water. Their main job is strength. Packed together by the millions, they help a trunk hold up heavy branches and stand up to the wind.

Fiber-tracheids still have small pits in their walls, a bit like tracheids. Libriform fibers have even simpler pits. Both are cousins of the tracheid, but they are built for support.

Wood fiber quiz