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Trees which grow in places facing the course of the sun…

“Trees which grow in places facing the course of the sun are not of porous fiber but are solid, being drained by the dryness... The trees in sunny neighborhoods, therefore, being solidified by the compact texture of their fiber, and not being porous from moisture, are very useful, so far as…” quote by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio
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“Trees which grow in places facing the course of the sun are not of porous fiber but are solid, being drained by the dryness... The trees in sunny neighborhoods, therefore, being solidified by the compact texture of their fiber, and not being porous from moisture, are very useful, so far as durability goes, when they are hewn into timber. The lowland firs, being conveyed from sunny places, are better than those highland firs, which are brought here from shady places.”

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Sun‑exposed trees develop dense, durable wood, making them superior for construction compared to shade‑grown trees.

In simple terms: Sun‑grown wood is stronger and more durable.

Key Takeaway

Select timber from sunny growth sites for lasting structures.

Themes

architecture materials environment durability

Mood

practical technical

Type

technical educational

When to use this quote

  • building houses
  • furniture making
  • restoration projects
  • landscape planning

Key Concepts

botany material science construction

Questions to Reflect On

  • What climate factors affect timber quality?
  • How do you source sustainable wood?
A Different Perspective

Sun‑exposed wood may be scarcer or costlier.

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