Wood, Lignin, and High-Yield Pulps

COLOR OF WOOD, LIGNIN, AND HIGH-YIELD PULPS 

Relatively weak absorptions at wavelengths above 400 mn are snfficient to cause the perception of color. The color of woody tissue varies widely from off-white (e.g., aspen, birch), yellow (e.g., spruce, pine, fir), amber-orange (e.g., western hemlock, Douglas fir, red cedar, teak) and rich browns (walnnt). While some of this color is dne to tannins and other extractives, in most species the color originates from chromophores in the lignin. 

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