TREES TO BOOKS
Dear HIW,
I am an avid reader and always think about how the pages I’m reading were once trees. How are trees turned into books? Elis Gorman
The process of making paper from trees is a relatively long one. First trees are cut into transportable lengths to be taken to a factory for processing. Machines strip the bark off the trees first, before wood chippers reduce the logs into thin pieces. Next, the wood is boiled to make a thick paste and chemicals are added for extra strength. This is flattened by rolling machines, and any remaining water is squeezed out. Small lumps are also smashed to maintain an even consistency. Finally, this smooth wood mixture is dried and cut into thin sheets to make paper.