Assessment of resonance wood quality by comparing its physical and histological properties

Eucalyptus plantations have been used as a source of short fiber for papermaking for more than 40 years. The development in genetic improvement and clonal programs has produced improved density plantations that have resulted in fast growing, increased fiber volume eucalypts becoming the most widely used source of short fibers in the world. High productivity and short rotation times, along with the uniformity and improved wood quality of clonal plantations have attracted private industry investment in eucalypt plantations. Currently, only a handful of species or hybrids are used in plantation efforts. Many more species are being evaluated to either enhance fiber properties or expand the range of eucalypt plantations. Eucalyptus plantations are frequently planted on nonforested land and may be used, in part, as a means of conserving native forests while allowing the production of high quality fiber for economic uses. Finally, eucalypt plantations can provide significant carbon sinks, which may be used to help offset the carbon released from burning fossil fuels. The development and expansion of eucalypt plantations represents a substantial revolution in pulp and paper manufacturing.

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Wachstum und Wertleistung der Douglasie in Abhängigkeit von der Standraumgestaltung

Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen ◽

10.3188/szf.2012.0096 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 163 (3) ◽

pp. 96-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Joachim Klädtke ◽

Ulrich Kohnle ◽

Edgar Kublin ◽

Andreas Ehring ◽

Hans Pretzsch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wood Quality ◽

Volume Growth ◽

Static Stability ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Breast Height ◽

Monetary Analysis ◽

Starting Conditions ◽

Tree Number ◽

Clear Differentiation ◽

Further Development

Growth and value production of Douglas-fir under varying stand densities The investigation is focused on the effects of initial tree number and thinning on growth and value performance of Douglas-fir stands. Data base is a coordinated Douglas-fir spacing experiment in South Germany, started 40 years ago and comprising variants of tree numbers with 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Douglas-firs per hectare. The treatment was performed according to a standardized experiment program. The results show that at low initial tree numbers, the diameter on breast height (DBH) of (pre)dominant trees at the beginning of the observations (with 12 m top height) is bigger than at higher initial plant numbers. Accordingly, the quotient of height (H) to DBH (as an indicator for tree's static stability) is lower. The further development of DBH and H/DBH quotient is decisively determined by stand treatment, which superimposes the effect of the initial tree number. The total volume growth shows a clear differentiation, too, the variants with initially high tree numbers appearing on top. In the monetary analysis, this ranking is reversed: despite a supposed inferior wood quality, the variants with lower initial tree numbers clearly outperform the ones with higher numbers in terms of value. From these results, the following silvicultural recommendations for Douglas-fir can be derived: the initial tree numbers should be in the range from 1,000 to 2,000 plants per hectare. On technically not accessible sites, even lower tree numbers may come into question. The strong influence of stand treatment on DBH and H/DBH development highlights the problem of postponed thinnings, for this causes growth and stability losses even under favorable starting conditions in terms of competition.

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Influence of microwave processing on frame of films glues on an aqueous basis

Известия СПбЛТА ◽

10.21266/2079-4304.2016.216.200-209 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

С.П. Исаев ◽

К.А. Шевчук

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Field ◽

Microwave Radiation ◽

Polyvinyl Acetate ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Microwave Processing ◽

Phase Changes ◽

Microwave Range ◽

Adhesive Film ◽

Modern Development ◽

Experimental Researches

Современное развитие деревоперерабатывающей отрасли сопровождается существенным ростом объемов готовой продукции, производимой на основе клееной древесины. Качество выпускаемой клееной продукции во многом определяется свойствами применяемых клеев. Экспериментально исследовано влияние электромагнитного поля СВЧ-диапазона на структуру клеев, применяемых для склеивания древесины. Установлено, что СВЧ-обработка оказывает существенное влияние на микроструктуру поливинилацетатного клея Dorus 072. Структура клеевой пленки, обработанной СВЧ-излучением, имеет более высокую дисперсность, по сравнению с исходным полимером, которая выражается в среднем уменьшении глобул в 1,4 раза. Исследование фазового контраста пленки поливинилацетатного клея, обработанного СВЧ-излучением, позволило установить, что после обработки уменьшается фазовая неоднородность клеевой пленки и имеет место углубление дисперсности глобул полимера, приводящее к увеличению степени его упаковки с образованием однородной по структуре пленки. Экспериментальные исследования пленок карбамидоформальдегидного клея Dorus FU 406, подвергнутого СВЧ-обработке, показали, что структуры образцов пленок как обработанного, так и необработанного, клея не отличаются значительными изменениями. Исследование фазового сдвига по поверхности образца пленки карбамидоформальдегидного клея отражает распределение свойств материала и показывает, что СВЧ-обработка клея способствует образованию квазигомогенной структуры, формирование которой подтверждается уменьшением различий в границах фазовых переходов микроструктур отвержденного полимера. На основании проведенных экспериментов по исследованию структуры пленок клеев, применяемых для склеивания древесины, установлено, что в результате воздействия электромагнитного поля СВЧ-диапазона на клеевые растворы осуществляется нетепловая модификация, сопровождающаяся уменьшением размеров макромолекул полимера и формированием плотно упакованной структуры пленки. Полученные результаты позволяют сделать вывод о целесообразности дальнейших исследований по модификации клеев СВЧ-обработкой. Modern development of woodworking branches is accompanied by essential growth of volumes of the finished goods manufactured on the basis of glued wood. Quality of let out glued production in many respects is defined by properties of applied glues. Influence of an electromagnetic field of a microwave range on frame of the glues applied to coagglutination of wood is experimentally investigated. It is positioned that microwave processing makes essential impact on a microstructure of polyvinyl acetate glue Dorus 072. The frame of the adhesive film treated by microwave radiation, has higher dispersity in comparison with initial polymer which is expressed on the average reduction of globules in 1,4 times. Research of phase contrast of a film of the treated polyvinyl acetate glue by microwave radiation has allowed to position that after processing phase heterogeneity of an adhesive film decreases and the excavation of dispersity of globules of the polymer, leading to augmentation of degree of its packaging, forming an unimodal film on frame takes place. Experimental researches of films of amino-formaldehyde glue Dorus FU 406, subjected to microwave processing, have shown that Frames of samples of films both treated, and untreated glue do not differ significant changes. Research of phase alteration on a surface of the sample of a film of amino-formaldehyde glue reflects allocation of properties of a stuff and shows that glue microwave processing promotes formation of the quasi-homogeneous frame which formation proves to be true reduction of distinctions in borders of phase changes of microstructures hardning polymer. On the basis of the made experiments on research of frame of films of the glues applied to coagglutination of wood it is positioned that as a result of influence of an electromagnetic field of the microwave oven of a range on glutinous solutions not thermal modification accompanied by reduction of the dimensions of macromolecules of polymer and formation of densely packed frame of a film is carried out. The received results allow to draw a conclusion on expediency of the further researches on modification of glues by microwave processing.

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The Wood Quality of Small-Leaved Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) Trees in an Urban Area: A Pilot Study

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12040420 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 420

Author(s):

Benas Šilinskas ◽

Aistė Povilaitienė ◽

Gintautas Urbaitis ◽

Marius Aleinikovas ◽

Iveta Varnagirytė-Kabašinskienė

Keyword(s):

Urban Area ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Wood Products ◽

Urban Trees ◽

Measuring System ◽

Forest Site ◽

Tilia Cordata ◽

Mean Values ◽

Wood Development

This study performed a pilot evaluation of the wood quality—defined by a single parameter: dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEdyn, N mm−2)—of small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) trees in urban areas. A search of the literature revealed few studies which examined the specifics of tree wood development in urban areas. Little is known about the potential of wood from urban trees wood of their suitability for the timber industry. In this study, an acoustic velocity measuring system was used for wood quality assessment of small-leaved lime trees. The MOEdyn parameter was evaluated for small-leaved lime trees growing in two urban locations (along the streets, and in an urban park), with an additional sample of forest sites taken as the control. MOEdyn was also assessed for small-leaved lime trees visually assigned to different health classes. The obtained mean values of MOEdyn of 90–120-year old small-leaved lime trees in urban areas ranged between 2492.2 and 2715.8 N mm−2. For younger trees, the values of MOEdyn were lower in the urban areas than in the forest site. Otherwise, the results of the study showed that the small-leaved lime wood samples were of relatively good quality, even if the tree was classified as moderately damaged (which could cause a potential risk to the community). Two alternatives for urban tree management can be envisaged: (1) old trees could be left to grow to maintain the sustainability of an urban area until their natural death, or (2) the wood from selected moderately damaged trees could be used to create wood products, ensuring long-term carbon retention.

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Improved Hough Transform and Total Variation Algorithms for Features Extraction of Wood

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12040466 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 466

Author(s):

Weiwei Du ◽

Yarui Xi ◽

Kiichi Harada ◽

Yumei Zhang ◽

Keiko Nagashima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Variation ◽

Hough Transform ◽

Annual Ring ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Volume Density ◽

Low Noise ◽

Impact Factors ◽

Annual Rings ◽

New Model ◽

Model Combining

Research shows that the intensity impact factors of wood, such as late timber ratio, volume density and the intensity of itself, correlate with the width of wood annual rings. Therefore, extracting wood annual ring information from wood images is helpful for evaluating wood quality. During the past few years, many researchers have conducted defect detection by studying the information of wood images. However, there are few in-depth studies on the statistics and calculation of wood annual ring information. This study proposes a new model combining the Total Variation (TV) algorithm and the improved Hough transform to accurately measure the wood annual ring information. The TV algorithm is used to suppress image noise, and the Hough transform is for detecting the center of the wood image. Moreover, the edges of wood annual rings are extracted, and the statistical ring information is calculated. The experimental results show that the new model has good denoising capability, clearly extract the edges of wood annual rings and calculate the related parameters from the indoor wood images of the processed logs and the unprocessed low-noise logs.

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Possibilities of Decreasing Hygroscopicity of Resonance Wood Used in Piano Soundboards Using Thermal Treatment

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11020475 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 475

Author(s):

Petr Zatloukal ◽

Pavlína Suchomelová ◽

Jakub Dömény ◽

Tadeáš Doskočil ◽

Ginevra Manzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Conversion Efficiency ◽

Dynamic Modulus ◽

Moisture Sorption ◽

Acoustical Properties ◽

Longitudinal Dynamic ◽

Moisture Content Level ◽

Longitudinal Sound Velocity ◽

Tan Δ ◽

Resonance Wood

This article presents the possibilities of decreasing moisture sorption properties via thermal modification of Norway spruce wood in musical instruments. The 202 resonance wood specimens that were used to produce piano soundboards have been conditioned and divided into three density groups. The first specimen group had natural untreated properties, the second was thermally treated at 180 °C, and the third group was treated at 200 °C. All specimens were isothermally conditioned at 20 °C with relative humidity values of 40, 60, and 80%. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC), swelling, and acoustical properties, such as the longitudinal dynamic modulus (E’L), bending dynamic modulus (Eb), damping coefficient (tan δ), acoustic conversion efficiency (ACEL), and relative acoustic conversion efficiency (RACEL) were evaluated on every moisture content level. Treatment at 180 °C caused the EMC to decrease by 36% and the volume swelling to decrease by 9.9%. Treatment at 200 °C decreased the EMC by 42% and the swelling by 39.6%. The 180 °C treatment decreased the value of the longitudinal sound velocity by 1.6%, whereas the treatment at 200 °C increased the velocity by 2.1%. The acoustical properties EL′, Eb, ACEL, and RACEL were lower due to the higher moisture content of the samples, and only the tanδ increased. Although both treatments significantly affected the swelling and EMC, the treatment at 180 °C did not significantly affect the acoustical properties.

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FACTORS AFFECTING WOOD QUALITY AND QUANTITY AND CONSEQUENTLY PULP MANUFACTURE

South African Forestry Journal ◽

10.1080/00382167.1967.9629176 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 17-24

Author(s):

S. W. Karth

Keyword(s):

Wood Quality ◽

Factors Affecting

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Effect of Exogenously Applied 24-Epibrassinolide and Brassinazole on Xylogenesis and Microdistribution of Cell Wall Polymers in Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) De Wit

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation ◽

10.1007/s00344-021-10313-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

S. Pramod ◽

M. Anju ◽

H. Rajesh ◽

A. Thulaseedharan ◽

Karumanchi S. Rao

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Cell Wall ◽

Leucaena Leucocephala ◽

Higher Plants ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Wall Structure ◽

Vessel Element ◽

Xylem Differentiation ◽

Cell Wall Polymers

AbstractPlant growth regulators play a key role in cell wall structure and chemistry of woody plants. Understanding of these regulatory signals is important in advanced research on wood quality improvement in trees. The present study is aimed to investigate the influence of exogenous application of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) and brassinosteroid inhibitor, brassinazole (BRZ) on wood formation and spatial distribution of cell wall polymers in the xylem tissue of Leucaena leucocephala using light and immuno electron microscopy methods. Brassinazole caused a decrease in cambial activity, xylem differentiation, length and width of fibres, vessel element width and radial extent of xylem suggesting brassinosteroid inhibition has a concomitant impact on cell elongation, expansion and secondary wall deposition. Histochemical studies of 24-epibrassinolide treated plants showed an increase in syringyl lignin content in the xylem cell walls. Fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed the inhomogenous pattern of lignin distribution in the cell corners and middle lamellae region of BRZ treated plants. Immunolocalization studies using LM10 and LM 11 antibodies have shown a drastic change in the micro-distribution pattern of less substituted and highly substituted xylans in the xylem fibres of plants treated with EBR and BRZ. In conclusion, present study demonstrates an important role of brassinosteroid in plant development through regulating xylogenesis and cell wall chemistry in higher plants.

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Haplotype- and SNP-Based GWAS for Growth and Wood Quality Traits in Eucalyptus cladocalyx Trees under Arid Conditions

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10010148 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 148

Author(s):

Camilo E. Valenzuela ◽

Paulina Ballesta ◽

Sunny Ahmar ◽

Sajid Fiaz ◽

Parviz Heidari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Tree Height ◽

Mediterranean Ecosystems ◽

Primary Metabolism ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Haplotype Blocks ◽

A Genome ◽

Stem Straightness

The agricultural and forestry productivity of Mediterranean ecosystems is strongly threatened by the adverse effects of climate change, including an increase in severe droughts and changes in rainfall distribution. In the present study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotype blocks associated with the growth and wood quality of Eucalyptus cladocalyx, a tree species suitable for low-rainfall sites. The study was conducted in a progeny-provenance trial established in an arid site with Mediterranean patterns located in the southern Atacama Desert, Chile. A total of 87 SNPs and 3 haplotype blocks were significantly associated with the 6 traits under study (tree height, diameter at breast height, slenderness coefficient, first bifurcation height, stem straightness, and pilodyn penetration). In addition, 11 loci were identified as pleiotropic through Bayesian multivariate regression and were mainly associated with wood hardness, height, and diameter. In general, the GWAS revealed associations with genes related to primary metabolism and biosynthesis of cell wall components. Additionally, associations coinciding with stress response genes, such as GEM-related 5 and prohibitin-3, were detected. The findings of this study provide valuable information regarding genetic control of morphological traits related to adaptation to arid environments.

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Non-Destructive Assessment of Wood Stiffness in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and its Use in Forest Tree Improvement

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10060491 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 491 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Irena Fundova ◽

Tomas Funda ◽

Harry X. Wu

Keyword(s):

Scots Pine ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Forest Tree ◽

Wood Stiffness ◽

Standing Trees ◽

Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Sib Families ◽

Using Data

Wood stiffness is an important wood mechanical property that predetermines the suitability of sawn timber for construction purposes. Negative genetic correlations between wood stiffness and growth traits have, however, been reported for many conifer species including Scots pine. It is, therefore, important that breeding programs consider wood stiffness and growth traits simultaneously. The study aims to (1) evaluate different approaches of calculating the dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE, non-destructively assessed stiffness) using data from X-ray analysis (SilviScan) as a benchmark, (2) estimate genetic parameters, and (3) apply index selection. In total, we non-destructively measured 622 standing trees from 175 full-sib families for acoustic velocity (VEL) using Hitman and for wood density (DEN) using Resistograph and Pilodyn. We combined VEL with different wood densities, raw (DENRES) and adjusted (DENRES.TB) Resistograph density, Pilodyn density measured with (DENPIL) and without bark (DENPIL.B), constant of 1000 kg·m−3 (DENCONST), and SilviScan density (DENSILV), to calculate MOEs and compare them with the benchmark SilviScan MOE (MOESILV). We also derived Smith–Hazel indices for simultaneous improvement of stem diameter (DBH) and wood stiffness. The highest additive genetic and phenotypic correlations of the benchmark MOESILV with the alternative MOE measures (tested) were attained by MOEDENSILV (0.95 and 0.75, respectively) and were closely followed by MOEDENRES.TB (0.91 and 0.70, respectively) and MOEDENCONST and VEL (0.91 and 0.65, respectively for both). Correlations with MOEDENPIL, MOEDENPIL.B, and MOEDENRES were lower. Narrow-sense heritabilities were moderate, ranging from 0.39 (MOESILV) to 0.46 (MOEDENSILV). All indices revealed an opportunity for joint improvement of DBH and MOE. Conclusions: MOEDENRES.TB appears to be the most efficient approach for indirect selection for wood stiffness in Scots pine, although VEL alone and MOEDENCONST have provided very good results too. An index combining DBH and MOEDENRES.TB seems to offer the best compromise for simultaneous improvement of growth, fiber, and wood quality traits.

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