Part I: Wood, a Truly Remarkable Material -- The Anatomical Structure of Wood -- Wood Characteristic or Defect? -- General Factors Leading to the Formation of Wood Characteristics of the Tree -- Part II: Wood Characteristics Overview -- Overview of the Main Wood Characteristics -- Part III: Description of the Wood Characteristics -- Wood Characteristics Inherent in a Tree´s Natural Growth -- Biotically Induced Wood Characteristics -- Abiotically Induced Wood Characteristics -- Overview of Cracks / Shake Forms and Causes.