Table 4.
Characteristics of the species used and a comparative account of their uses with other studies
| S. no. | Species (family) collection number | Local name | Life form | Wood characteristics (based on [41, 42]) | Present study | Other studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Abies pindrow Royle (Pinaceae) PLP 9977 | Tosh | Tree | It is soft and easy to saw wood, the weight of which is about 30 lbs per cubic foot | Tool, storage structure, construction | House construction [43–47]; household articles, furniture [46]. |
| 2 | Aesculus indica Hook (Sapindaceae) PLP 9927 | Khnor | Tree | The wood is soft white that polishes well and weighs 34 lbs per cubic foot. | Tool | Palanquins [43]; household articles, furniture [46]; agricultural implements, yoke, hoe [45, 47, 48]. |
| 3 | Arundinaria falcata Nees. (Poaceae) PLP 9978 | Nagaal | Grass (bamboo) | A multipurpose bamboo. Its strength and light weight render it suitable for making products. | Tool, storage structure, artefact, miscellaneous | Household articles, baskets, mat, hat, broom, and winnow [43] |
| 4 | Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) PLP 9945 | Bhangolu | Herb | A fibre yielding plant. It produces more fibre than cotton and flex | Artefacts | Ropes [43], basket and mat [49] |
| 5 | Cedrus deodara G. Don (Pinaceae) PLP 9979 | Deodar | Tree | Strongest amongst Indian conifers, it is easy to saw and work. Its weight is about 35 lbs per cubic foot | Tool, storage structure, construction, miscellaneous | Furniture, house construction, door, windows, carvings [43–45, 47. |
| 6 | Cotoneaster bacillaris Wall. ex Lindl. (Rosaceae) PLP 9980 | Riunsh | Shrub | The wood is hard, close and even grained. Its weight is about 57 lbs | Tools | Agricultural tools, implements [43, 48, 50] |
| 7 | Desmodium elegans DC. (Fabaceae) PLP 9981 | Safed kathi | Shrub | A common shrub of the Himalayan region | Miscellaneous | Ropes, sacs [45], tools [48] |
| 8 | Hordeum vulgare L. (Poaceae) PLP 9982 | Joo | Grass | Surface roughness and polarity of its fibre are of importance | Artefact | - |
| 9 | Indigofera heterantha Baker (Fabaceae) PLP 9983 | Kai kathi | Shrub | The wood is hard and weighs around 55 lbs per cubic foot | Miscellaneous | Tool, handles of axe, pick axe, scythe, hammer [48] |
| 10 | Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae) PLP 9959 | Khod | Tree | The wood is light, durable and has good working qualities. Its weight is about 44 lbs per cubic foot | Tool, miscellaneous | Construction, furniture, cabinets [43, 44]; agricultural implements, plough, yoke [46–48]. |
| 11 | Picea smithiana Boiss. (Pinaceae) PLP 9984 | Rai | Tree | Light weight, it is easy to saw and work. Its weight is about 31lbs per cubic foot | Tool, miscellaneous, storage structure, construction | Storage structures, boxes [47]; house construction [44]. |
| 12 | Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks. (Pinaceae) PLP 9985 | Kail | Tree | Wood is fairly durable and of good quality. Its weight is about 32 lbs per cubic foot | Tool, construction, miscellaneous | Furniture [43]; house construction, door, windows, shutter [44, 47]; tools [51]. |
| 13 | Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. (Fagaceae) PLP 9986 | Khreu | Tree | Its weight is about 54 lbs per cubic foot and is used on account of its strength and durability | Tool | House construction [43, 47], agricultural implements, ploughs [43, 46, 48]; furniture, bed, table [49]. |
| 14 | Salix alba L. (Salicaceae) PLP 9987 | Bhasal | Tree | It is a lightwood that weighs about 25 lbs per cubic foot | Tool | - |
| 15 | Sorbaria tomentosa Rehder (Rosaceae) PLP 9988 | Kust | Shrub | The wood is hard and compact | Tool, miscellaneous | - |
| 16 | Spiraea canescens D. Don. (Fabaceae) PLP 9989 | Chakhu | Shrub | Wood is fairly hard and even grained | Tool | Agricultural implements, tool [50] |
| 17 | Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) PLP 9948 | Rakhal | Tree | Strong wood that polishes beautifully. Its weight is 44 lbs per cubic foot | Tool | Vases, Pots, Containers , Palanquins [43], Construction, [44–46] |
| 18 | Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae) PLP 9992 | Gehu | Grass | Household cereal crop. Fibre used due to its low cost and environmental friendly nature | Artefacts | Craft for decoration [48] |
| 19 | Ulmus wallichiana Planch. (Ulmaceae) PLP 9990 | Maraal | Tree | Wood is fairly hard, scented and fine grained. Its weight is about 36 lbs per cubic foot | Tool, storage structure, construction | Miscellaneous [43] |
| 20 | Viburnum erubescens Wall. (Adoxaceae) PLP 9991 | Talyana | Shrub | Common Himalayan shrub. | Tool | - |