Variability in surface polarity of wood by means of AFM adhesion force mapping

•Polarity of wood surfaces was measured by means of AFM adhesion force mapping.•Microstructural variability in polarity of wood can be imaged by AFM at atmospheric conditions.•Differences in polarity of freshly cut and native surfaces correlate with chemical heterogeneity.•Surface ageing of wood originates almost exclusively from changes in freshly cut secondary cell walls S2.•Native inner lumen surfaces hardly contribute to surface ageing.