Can wood properties be predicted from the morphological traits of a tree? A canonical correlation study of plantation-grown white spruce

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 1518-1529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Lenz ◽  
Michèle Bernier-Cardou ◽  
John MacKay ◽  
Jean Beaulieu
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Correlation Study ◽  
Cell Diameter ◽  
Tree Morphology ◽  
Wood Traits

There is a growing interest in predicting wood quality from tree morphology traits, which can be measured using remote sensing techniques such as LiDAR, to enhance forest inventory for operational planning. In this study, we investigated the correlation structure between these two categories of traits in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) using canonical and multiple regression analyses with the objective of identifying key morphology variables that are predictive of wood quality. For 495 trees from a 30-year-old plantation, we obtained measurements of tree height and dimensions of the living crown, as well as the number and diameter of live branches at selected whorls. Wood traits were assessed from wood cores with SilviScan technology. Morphological traits explained almost 29% of the overall variation observed in wood traits. However, the magnitude of the correlations and the ability of crown morphological traits to predict wood traits differed widely among the latter. Average ring width and radial cell diameter, both related to increment, were well correlated with tree morphology, whereas traits related to subcellular structure, for instance, microfibril angle, were poorly correlated. These results could guide the choice of wood traits to improve inventory techniques aiming to optimize the forest product value chain.

Age trend of heritability, genetic correlation, and efficiency of early selection for wood quality traits in Scots pine

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 817-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhou Hong ◽  
Anders Fries ◽  
Harry X. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Early Selection ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Wood Traits ◽  
Selection For

To examine the efficiency of early selection for wood quality traits in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) breeding program in Sweden, a total of 778 wood increment cores were sampled from 179 full-sib families in a single progeny trial at 40 years of age. Age trend of inheritance, age–age genetic correlation, and early selection efficiency for eight wood traits including annual ring width, wood density, microfibril angle (MFA), modulus of elasticity (i.e., wood stiffness; MOE), and fibre dimensions were studied. Heritabilities for the eight wood traits reached a plateau between age 5 years and age 15 years, with the highest heritability for radial fibre width and fibre coarseness (∼0.6) and the lowest heritability for ring width (∼0.2). Heritability reached about 0.4 for both wood density and MFA but only reached about 0.3 for MOE. Genetic correlation from early to reference age 30 years reached a very high level (>0.8) for all eight wood traits at age 5 years. Early selection was effective for wood quality traits in Scots pine, and selection at age 8 years is recommended for MOE in Scots pine.

What do ecological regions tell us about wood quality? A case study in eastern Canadian white spruce

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 1383-1393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Lenz ◽  
Marie Deslauriers ◽  
Chhun-Huor Ung ◽  
John MacKay ◽  
Jean Beaulieu
Keyword(s):  
Wood Anatomy ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Wood Processing ◽  
Ecological Regions ◽  
Wood Trait ◽  
Wood Traits

There is a growing interest in improving knowledge on wood quality of forest resources to allow for an end-product oriented supply for the wood-processing industry. We investigated the differences of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) wood traits from 13 ecological regions of the eastern Canadian province of Quebec and identified climatic and geographic variables and tree characteristics that may help predict wood traits in novel approaches to forest inventories. One hundred and eleven wood disks were used to determine wood traits that are related to wood anatomy and to mechanical use of wood. Our results indicate significant differences between ecological regions for most of the investigated wood traits. Samples from several coastal regions showed, for example, wood anatomy that is advantageous for some pulp and paper grades, but they offer comparatively weak estimates for mechanical applications. Ordination and projection to latent structures allowed us to identify maximum temperature, degree days, geographic location, tree height, and tree diameter as important predictor variables for wood traits. The quality of models was variable and R2 values ranged from 0.13 to 0.59. Prediction errors in an independent sample were mostly below 10%, and bias was below 5%. Although the prediction of wood mechanics was less precise, the presented results are an encouraging step toward obtaining a wood trait signature for different environments.

scholarly journals Genetic analysis of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) solid-wood quality traits

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1303-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haleh Hayatgheibi ◽  
Anders Fries ◽  
Johan Kroon ◽  
Harry X. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
Early Selection

Potential improvement of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) solid-wood properties was examined by estimating age trends of inheritance, age–age genetic correlations, and the efficiency of early selection using 823 increment cores sampled from 207 half-sib families at two independent progeny trials, aged 34–35 years, located in northern Sweden. High-resolution radial variation of annual ring width, wood density, microfibril angle (MFA), and modulus of elasticity (clearwood stiffness; MOES) was measured using SilviScan. The dynamic stiffness (MOEtof) of standing trees was also obtained using Hitman ST300. Heritabilities ranged from 0.10 to 0.64 for growth and earlywood, transition-wood, and latewood proportions, from 0.29 to 0.77 for density traits, and from 0.13 to 0.33 for MFA and stiffness traits. Genetic correlations between early age and the reference age (26 years) suggested that early selection is efficient at age 4 years for MFA and between ages 5 to 8 years for density and MOES. Unfavorable diameter–stiffness genetic correlations and correlated responses indicate that breeding for a 1% increase in diameter would confer 5.5% and 2.3% decreases in lodgepole pine MOES and MOEtof, respectively. Index selection with appropriate economical weights for growth and wood stiffness is highly recommended for selective breeding.

Wood Quality of Sugi (Cryptomeria Japonica) Grown at four initial Spacings

IAWA Journal ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ishiguri ◽  
S. Kasai ◽  
S. Yokota ◽  
K. Iizuka ◽  
N. Yoshizawa
Keyword(s):  
Cryptomeria Japonica ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Basic Density ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
The Other ◽  
Modulus Of Rupture ◽  
Density Control ◽  
Initial Spacing

Wood quality is affected by silviculture, which includes factors such as stand density control and genetics. In the present study, the effects of initial spacing on the general wood quality and lumber quality of sugi wood (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) were examined. Logs of 35-year-old sugi were cut from four stands with different initial spacing (A: 2.6 by 2.6 m, 1,500 trees/ha; B: 1.8 by 1.8 m, 3,000 trees/ha; C: 1.3 by 1.3 m, 6,000 trees/ha; D: 1.0 by 1.0 m, 10,000 trees/ha). Trees from stand A showed significantly larger values in annual ring width than trees from the other stands. However, there were no significant differences in the wood basic density, the length of latewood tracheids, and the microfibril angle of the S2 layer among stands. On the other hand, initial spacing affected the lumber quality. The average diameter of knots was significantly larger in stand A than in the other stands. In addition, the dynamic Young's modulus, the modulus of rupture, and the modulus of elasticity in static bending increased with the decrease in the initial spacing from 2.6 by 2.6 m to 1.3 by 1.3 m.

scholarly journals White spruce wood quality for lumber products: priority traits and their enhancement through tree improvement

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Hassegawa ◽  
Mylène Savard ◽  
Patrick R N Lenz ◽  
Emmanuel Duchateau ◽  
Nancy Gélinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bending Strength ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Tree Breeding ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Spruce Wood ◽  
Wood Traits

Abstract White spruce breeding has traditionally focused on genetic improvement for high productivity, targeting mostly stem volume. However, new challenges, such as the effects of climate change on individual trees and ecosystems and the changing nature of forest products markets, require action to address these issues while providing improved stock for seed and seedling production. This work aims to define the relative importance of white spruce wood traits for the lumber industry, with the intent of guiding tree breeding programs. This manuscript examines: (1) wood features that are important for lumber, (2) the genetics of wood traits and their improvement and (3) the level of acceptance of raw material with optimal traits, as obtained from a survey conducted with sawmills. Stem diameter at stump height, wood density, bending strength and stiffness were determined as the most important properties for sawmills. Decay proportion, knot diameter, slope of grain and the proportion of compression wood were also determined as important for sawmills, but to a lesser extent. Breeding efforts aiming to produce lumber should focus on stems with improved growth that are capable of sustaining the production of dense wood in greater proportion.

scholarly journals Genomic selection for resistance to spruce budworm in white spruce and relationships with growth and wood quality traits

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2704-2722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Beaulieu ◽  
Simon Nadeau ◽  
Chen Ding ◽  
Jose M. Celedon ◽  
Aïda Azaiez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genomic Selection ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Selection For

Consistent negative temperature sensitivity and positive influence of precipitation on growth of floodplain Picea glauca in Interior Alaska

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Patrick Juday ◽  
Claire Alix
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Negative Temperature ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Monthly Precipitation ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Interior Alaska ◽  
Common Signal

This paper calibrates climate controls over radial growth of floodplain white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and examines whether growth in these populations responds similarly to climate as upland trees in Interior Alaska. Floodplain white spruce trees hold previously unrecognized potential for long-term climate reconstruction because they are the source of driftwood that becomes frozen in coastal deposits, where archeological timbers and beach logs represent well-preserved datable material. We compared ring width chronologies for 135 trees in six stands on the Yukon Flats and Tanana River with temperature and precipitation at Fairbanks from 1912–2001. Our sample contains a stable common signal representing a strong negative relationship between summer temperature and tree growth. We developed a floodplain temperature index (FPTI), which explains half of the variability of the composite chronology, and a supplemental precipitation index (SPI) based on correlation of monthly precipitation with the residual of the temperature-based prediction of growth. We then combined FPTI and SPI into a climate favorability index (CFI) in which above-normal precipitation partially compensates for temperature-induced drought reduction of growth and vice versa. CFI and growth have been particularly low since 1969. Our results provide a basis for building longer chronologies based on archeological wood and for projecting future growth.

Influence of Growth Rate and Cambial Age on Density of Rauli (Nothofagus nervosa) in Relation to Vessel Lumen Areas and Numbers

Holzforschung ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Denne ◽  
C. M. Cahalan ◽  
D. P. Aebischer
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Present Sample ◽  
Vessel Lumen ◽  
Cambial Age ◽  
Old Trees ◽  
Nothofagus Nervosa

Summary To assess the likely effects of silvicultural treatment on the wood quality of Nothofagus nervosa grown in the UK, and the possibilities of independent selection within seed origins for density and growth rate, ring width and wood density were analysed from pith to bark of 19 trees. Variations in vessel lumen size, vessel number mm−2, and total lumen area mm−2 were analysed in ten trees. Since density increased by only 0.005g cm−3 per mm increase in ring width, silvicultural practices such as initial spacing and thinning are not likely to have a substantial effect on the wood density of rauli. Similarly, variation in density with cambial age was significant but relatively minor in the 40- and 60-year old trees of the present sample, suggesting that the rotation length is unlikely to have any practical influence on the density of rauli. Considerable between-tree differences in density were found which did not correspond to differences in ring width, suggesting it should be feasible to select independently for density and growth rate. These differences in density were associated with differences in both vessel lumen size and vessel number mm−2

Influences of spacing on radial growth and percentage latewood of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and western redcedar

1980 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Harry G. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Wood Quality ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Western Redcedar ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Good Site ◽  
Binocular Microscope ◽  
Reduced Costs ◽  
Ray Methods

Growth in ring width and percentage latewood on a very good site is described for 21-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), 20-year-old western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), and western redcedar (Thujaplicata Donn) planted at five spacings (0.91 to 4.57 m). Cores extracted at breast height are used to show the effects of spacing through growth rate and crown development, and of age through number of rings from pith for the years 1965 to 1976. Percentages of latewood measured by binocular microscope are compared with results obtainable by X-ray methods for analysis of ring widths and densities. Influences of spacing on wood quality are discussed. It is concluded that wide initial spacings increase ring width and decrease percentage latewood significantly, but the reduced costs and increased sizes at wide spacings provide more than adequate compensation for the moderate reduction in wood quality.

Influence of feeding damage by small mammals on tree growth and wood quality in young lodgepole pine

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 799-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Sullivan ◽  
Harry Coates ◽  
Les A. Jozsa ◽  
Paul K. Diggle
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Diameter Increment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Small Diameter Trees ◽  
Severe Degree ◽  
The Impact

This study assessed the impact of feeding injuries by snowshoe hare (Lepusamericanus Erxleben) and red squirrel (Tamiasciurushudsonicus Erxleben) on diameter growth, height growth, and wood quality of juvenile lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var latifolia Engelm.) at Prince George and in the Cariboo Region, British Columbia. In the Prince George control stand, severe girdling damage (50–99% stem circumference) suppressed diameter and height growth of small-diameter (4.1–6.0 cm) trees, but had no effect on larger stems (6.1–8.0 cm). In the spaced stand, diameter and height increments also declined significantly with degree of partial girdling, particularly in small-diameter (3.1–5.0 cm) trees. Paradoxically, diameter increment increased significantly with degree of partial girdling in both stands at the Cariboo study area. Presumably squirrels prefer to feed on vigorous stems, and the lost growth of these trees may be substantial. There was no significant difference in amount of compression wood nor total solvent and water extractives between undamaged and damaged trees. Fiber lengths in wound-associated wood were consistently 19–21% lower than in controls. Damaged trees had greater average ring width and density than undamaged trees. The average increase in relative density of damaged over undamaged trees was 0.0343. These results suggest that a severe degree of partial girdling (which likely occurs more often in small-diameter trees) may significantly affect growth of lodgepole pine, particularly small (<5.0 cm DBH) trees.

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