Housed on the 1st floor of the Forest Conservation Building, 67, Sanyuan St. Taipei, The TFRI Wood Collection Room was established in 1945. The collection started with just 30 large solid wood specimens collected from the experimental forests which were established by the then Japanese administration. Today, there are 62 large pieces in the collection, however, due to space limitations, we are unable to host any more large specimens. Instead, individual tree species are represented by small spheres (?) cut along all three axes. Small specimens are much easier to work with in processing and identification of wood or in conducting research. There are currently 207 spherically-cut-specimens, and 300 other small wood specimens from Taiwan trees, representing 30 coniferous species, and 270 hardwood species.
The Wood Collection Room is also active in exchanging samples with academic organizations and individual collectors all over the world. Samples from overseas sources can expand the range of species available to the Wood Collection Room, and can also help with the identification of unknown samples. The Wood Collection Room now holds specimens from Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania. There are specimens from 2,172 hardwoods, representing 730 genera and 163 families; and 221 conifers from 40 genera and 9 families. In addition to its ongoing research programs, the Wood Collection Room also accepted requests to help with wood identification. However, up to 400 requests flooded in each year, consuming an overbearing proportion of the Wood Collection Room research time allocation. It was therefore decided that the Wood Collection Room will not accept any new requests of wood identification, except for fulfilling all obligations under the existing contracts.
It is now illegal to log natural forests in Taiwan, but the market for wood products continues to develop. As a result, 99% of Taiwan's wood is now imported. Imports come from all over the world, and represent a vast array of species. As part of its support to the wood industry, the Institute aims to help realizing the full value of every type of wood. Hence, it offers consultation to businesses on the best wood species for a particular use, thus helping companies to make high quality, competitive products. The Wood Collection Room has developed a system to offer information on the major wood types from each country and region. For wood from each tree species, users can look up its identifying features, physical properties, processing methods, drying methods, and major uses. The system already includes complete information on woods from Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and North and South America. Profiles of the African woods are now being developed. There are over 5000 requests per year for this consultation service, and the Wood Collection Room has received high commendations for its fast and professional service.