scholarly journals Effects of live crown on vertical patterns of wood density and growth in Douglas-fir

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L Gartner ◽  
Eric M North ◽  
G R Johnson ◽  
Ryan Singleton
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Juvenile Wood ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Mature Wood ◽  
Node Number ◽  
Growth Ring Width ◽  
Residual Variation ◽  
Wide Range

It would be valuable economically to know what are the biological triggers for formation of mature wood (currently of high value) and (or) what maintains production of juvenile wood (currently of low value), to develop silvicultural regimes that control the relative production of the two types of wood. Foresters commonly assume the bole of softwoods produces juvenile wood within the crown and mature wood below. We tested that assumption by comparing growth ring areas and widths and wood density components of the outer three growth rings in disks sampled from different vertical positions of 34-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees. The 18 trees were sampled from one site and had a wide range of heights to live crown. Most of the variance (63–93%) in wood characteristics (growth ring area: total, earlywood, latewood; growth ring width: total, earlywood, latewood; latewood proportion: by area, width; and ring density: total, earlywood, latewood) was due to within-tree differences (related to age of the disk). Stepwise regression analysis gave us equations to estimate wood characteristics, after which we analyzed the residuals with a linear model that included whether a disk was within or below the crown (defined as the lowest node on the stem with less than three live branches). After adjusting for tree and disk position, only 2–10% of the residual variation was associated with whether the disk was in or out of the live crown. There were no statistically significant differences at p = 0.05 between a given disk (by node number) in versus out of the crown for any of the factors studied. Moreover, the wood density characteristics were not statistically significant at p = 0.30. This research suggests that there was no effect of the crown position on the transition from juvenile to mature wood as judged by wood density. Therefore, we found no evidence to support the concept that tree spacing and live-branch pruning have a significant effect on the cambial age of transition from juvenile to mature wood in Douglas-fir trees of this age.

Effects of release from suppression on wood functional characteristics in young Douglas-fir and western hemlock

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 2038-2046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi J Renninger ◽  
Barbara L Gartner ◽  
Frederick C Meinzer
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Specific Conductivity ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Growth Ring Width

Little is known of wood properties in trees that were initially suppressed and subsequently released from suppression. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in growth ring width, specific conductivity (Ks), tracheid dimensions, moisture content, and wood density in suppressed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) trees and trees released from suppression averaging 12–18 years of age. Growth ring width was 370% higher for Douglas-fir and 300% higher for western hemlock trees released from suppression, and Ks was 182% higher for Douglas-fir and 42% higher for western hemlock trees released from suppression. Earlywood width was approximately four times greater after release in both species, whereas the relative increase in latewood width was much greater in Douglas-fir. Tracheids were 25% wider and 11% longer in released Douglas-fir trees. In western hemlock, released trees had 19% wider tracheids that were approximately the same length as those in suppressed trees. Moisture content was 66% greater in released Douglas-fir and 41% greater in released western hemlock. Wood density decreased by 21% in Douglas-fir trees and by 11% in western hemlock trees released from suppression. However, wood density of released trees did not differ from average reported values, implying that wood from released trees may be suitable for many of its traditional applications.

Distribution of juvenile wood in two stems of Larixlaricina

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1041-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. Yang ◽  
C. A. Benson ◽  
J. K. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Wood ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Growth Rings ◽  
Vertical Variation ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Ring Number ◽  
Tracheid Length ◽  
Growth Ring Width

The distribution and vertical variation of juvenile wood was studied in an 81-year-old dominant tree and an 83-year-old suppressed tree of Larixlaricina (Du Roi) K. Koch. Two criteria, growth ring width and tracheid length, were used to demarcate the boundary of juvenile wood. The width of juvenile wood, expressed in centimetres and the number of growth rings, decreased noticeably from the base to the top of the tree. The volume of juvenile wood decreased in a similar pattern. These decreasing trends had a strong negative correlation with the year of formation of cambial initials at a given tree level. The length of these cambial initials decreased with increasing age of formation of the cambial initials. In the juvenile wood zone, there was a positive linear regression between the growth ring number (age) and the tracheid length. The slopes of these regression lines at various tree levels increased as the age of the year of formation of the cambial initials increased. At a given tree level, the length of tracheids increased from the pith to a more uniform length near the bark. However, the number of years needed to attain a more uniform tracheid length decreased from the base to the top of the tree. These relationships suggest that the formation of juvenile wood is related to the year of formation of the cambial initials. Consequently, the juvenile wood is conical in shape, tapering towards the tree top.

Climate signals from intra-annual wood density fluctuations in Abies durangensis

IAWA Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos González-Cásares ◽  
Marín Pompa-García ◽  
Alejandro Venegas-González
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Drought Index ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Density Fluctuations ◽  
Growth Ring Width ◽  
Density Values ◽  
Climate Signals ◽  
Hydroclimatic Variables

ABSTRACTOngoing climate change is expected to alter forests by affecting forest productivity, with implications for the ecological functions of these systems. Despite its great dendrochronological potential, little research has been conducted into the use of wood density as a proxy for determining sensitivity to climate variability in Mexico. The response of Abies durangensis Martínez, in terms of wood density and growth ring width, to monthly climatic values (mean temperature, accumulated precipitation and the drought index SPEI) was analyzed through correlation analysis. Abies durangensis presents a high response, in terms of radial growth, to climatic conditions. Tree-ring widths are more sensitive to hydroclimatic variables, whereas wood density values are more sensitive to temperature. In particular, mean (MeanD) and minimum (MND) wood density values are more sensitive to climate than maximum (MXD). We found very marked spatial variations that indicate that A. durangensis responds differently to drought conditions depending on the indices of density.

Wood Structure and Growth Ring Width of Vital and Non-Vital Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii) from a Single Stand in the Netherlands

IAWA Journal ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid de Kort
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Wood Structure ◽  
Growth Reduction ◽  
External Appearance ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Growth Ring Width ◽  
C 50

A comparison was made of diameter growth and wood structure in 26 trees of Douglas fir of different vitality cJasses in a decJining, c. 50- years old stand in De Peel (southeastern Netherlands). Ring width patterns agree cJosely but not perfectly with vitality cJasses as estimated by external appearance of the crown. The 'diseased' vitality cJasses all show growth reductions over the last 20 to 30 years. In the most diseased cJass no wood had been formed at all at the stern base over the last 4 to 10 years. The onset of growth reduction may be connected with the effect of air pollution in the last 40 to 50 years. The most striking result was the inverse relationship between growth rate in the first 10 to 15 years of growth, and growth rate in the last decades: all trees which are healthy at present showed slow radial growth when young, and all diseased to dead trees exhibited fast growth in their youth.

Effect of growth rate on specific gravity of East-Liaoning oak (Quercusliaotungensis) wood

1991 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Yin Zhang ◽  
Yuan Zhong
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Juvenile Wood ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Mature Wood ◽  
Constant Growth Rate ◽  
Ring Number ◽  
Constant Growth ◽  
Effect Of Age

The effect of growth rate on the specific gravity of East-Liaoning oak (Quercusliaotungensis Koidz.) wood was studied and statistically compared with the effect of age (ring number from the pith). Results revealed that age is a decisive factor in controlling the specific gravity of wood, while effect of growth rate on specific gravity is statistically less important. Furthermore, the effect of growth rate varies with ring width range, age, and position within one growth ring (earlywood, latewood, or the whole ring). Within narrower ring widths, specific gravity increases rapidly with increasing growth rate, then more slowly as ring width increases, and when ring width is beyond a specific range, specific gravity remains more or less constant. Growth rate shows little effect on specific gravity of juvenile wood, but with increasing age, the effect increases gradually to reach a significant level in mature wood. Growth rate does not affect specific gravity of latewood significantly, but it shows a greater effect on specific gravity of the whole ring.

Influence of xylem growth ring width and wood density on durability of oak heartwood

2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miha Humar ◽  
Blaž Fabčič ◽  
Martin Zupančič ◽  
Franc Pohleven ◽  
Primož Oven
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Growth Ring Width ◽  
Xylem Growth

Tracheid Length in Vital and Non Vital Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii) in the Netherlands

IAWA Journal ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid de Kort
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Growth Reduction ◽  
Tracheid Length ◽  
Growth Ring Width ◽  
Temporary Growth

Tracheid length in relation to growth ring width is recorded for five Douglas firs from different sites in the Netherlands. The investigated trees differed in vitality assessed by crown appearance. Non vital trees showed a growth reduction which coincides with a decrease in tracheid length. Temporary growth reductions in vital trees did not result in a decrease of tracheid length. The relations hip between tracheid length and ring width is discussed.

Radial Variation and Growth Rate in the Length of the Axial Elements Of Sessile Oak Wood

IAWA Journal ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lidia Helińska-Raczkowska ◽  
Ewa Fabisiak
Keyword(s):  
Juvenile Wood ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Similar Relationship ◽  
Annual Rings ◽  
Oak Wood ◽  
Growth Ring Width ◽  
Vessel Elements ◽  
Wood Fibres ◽  
Axial Element

Radial variability of the axial element length in oak-wood is most prominent in the juvenile wood which inc1udes approximately 30 annual rings. The length of fibres, tracheids and vessel elements increases from the pith outwards according to a second degree curve. This dependence is most apparent for wood fibres, whereas it is the least distinct for vesseI elements. In the mature zone, anatomical elements are, on average, 10 to 20% Ion ger than in juvenile wood. With deteriorating conditions of tree growth, the length of the anatomical elements tends to increase. There is a negative correlation between length of the measured elements and growth ring width; this is most c1early so for fibres. A similar relationship exists between the length of anatomical elements and wood density.

scholarly journals Density of juvenile and mature wood of selected coniferous species

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 123-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Gryc ◽  
H. Vavrčík ◽  
K. Horn
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Juvenile Wood ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Mature Wood ◽  
European Larch ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Coniferous Species ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

The objective of research was to determine the density of juvenile (JW) and mature wood (MW) of selected coniferous species growing in the Czech Republic. The research included the wood of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and European larch (Larix decidua Mill.). The juvenile wood density close to the pith was 410 kg&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup> for spruce, 391 kg&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup> for pine and 573 kg&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup> for larch with 12% water content. Mature wood in the peripheral parts had the higher density in all species &ndash; spruce 516 kg&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup>, pine 552 kg&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup> and larch 652 kg&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup>. The highest difference, the difference of 161 kg&middot;m<sup>&ndash;3</sup>, between juvenile and mature wood was found out in Scots pine. The large difference in the wood density of pine is caused by a considerable difference in the mean ring width of its juvenile and mature wood. Further, it was proved that wood density decreases with the increasing ring width while wood density increases with the increasing proportion of latewood.

scholarly journals Effect of growth rate on the physical and mechanical properties of Douglas-fir in western Europe

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1056-1065 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Pollet ◽  
J.-M. Henin ◽  
J. Hébert ◽  
B. Jourez
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Juvenile Wood ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Mature Wood ◽  
Cambial Age ◽  
The Impact

To quantify the impact of forest management practices and tree growth rate on the potential uses of Douglas-fir wood, nine physico-mechanical properties were studied on more than 1250 standardized clear specimens. These were collected from trees cut in 11 even-aged stands (six trees per stand) located in Wallonia (southern Belgium). Stands were 40 to 69 years old, and mean tree girth was ca. 150 cm. Mean ring width of the 66 trees ranged from 3 to more than 7 mm. Statistical analysis showed significant but weak effects of ring width on the studied properties. Considered jointly, mean ring width and cambial age of the test specimens only explained 28% to 40% of the variability of their properties. Also, when ring width increases, these properties display higher decreases in juvenile wood than in mature wood. From a technological standpoint, maintaining mean ring width under 4 mm in juvenile wood and 6 mm in mature wood should accommodate all potential uses of Douglas-fir wood. However, considering that density appeared to be the main driver of wood properties, our results and the literature corroborate the importance of genetic selection as a complement to silvicultural measures to improve or guarantee the technological properties of Douglas-fir wood.

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