Axial sampling height outperforms site as predictor of wood trait variation

ABSTRACTCovariation amongst wood traits along the stem axis is important to maintain hydraulic integrity ensuring sufficient sap flow to the canopy. Here, we test how wood traits (co)vary along the trunk and whether two seasonally dry Brazilian habitats (cerrado and caatinga) influence this variation in two co-occurring species, Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae) and Tabebuia aurea (Bignoniaceae). The samples were collected at five heights along the main trunk of three individuals per species in both sites. We used light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy to observe the wood traits. Out of 13 wood traits, nine show relationships with sampling height: eight traits predict height in T. formosa and five in T. aurea. Contrastingly, only three traits show differences between sites and only for T. formosa. The intratrunk wood variation is reflected by the hydraulically weighted vessel diameter showing a curvilinear relationship, disagreeing with the prediction of a continuous vessel widening from tip to base. In both species, the largest vessels are linked to the thinnest intervessel pit membranes. Wood density increases basipetally for both species, being site-dependent and correlated with vessel traits in T. formosa, and site-independent and determined by fiber wall thickness in T. aurea. Furthermore, the functional role of rays was found to be different for each species, and may be related to the marked difference in ray composition. In conclusion, both species show a unique adaptation to deal with height-related constraints using species-specific co-variation amongst wood traits, while site does not contribute much to the wood variation.

Evaluation of wood variation based on the eigenvalue distribution of near infrared spectral matrix

A method to evaluate the wood variation based on the eigenvalue analysis for the near infrared spectral matrix is presented. The set of eigenvalues calculated from the variance-covariance matrix is treated as the Hamiltonian, which represents the energy eigenstate of the wood, and the wood variation is discussed from the viewpoints of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. To determine the validity of this idea, two sample groups, one having a high and the other having a low modulus of elasticity ( Efr), are prepared, because they obviously have different molecular configurations in the cell wall. The eigenvalues of the high Efr group are widely distributed compared with those of the low Efr group. The probability corresponding to each energy eigenstate of the low Efr group is flatly distributed compared with that of the high Efr group. These results indicate that the low Efr wood has a more disordered structure than the high Efr wood. The Helmholtz free energy is higher in the high Efr group; in contrast, the entropy is higher in the low Efr group. The results obtained in this study are consistent with the previous knowledge with regard to the relationship between the mechanical properties and the microscopic structure of wood. Hence, the eigenvalues obtained from the NIR spectral matrix provide useful information to assess the variation and stability of wood.

Variation in wood density components within and between Quercus faginea trees

The wood of Quercus faginea Lam. was studied regarding its density variation within and between trees using microdensitometry techniques in 10 trees growing in northern Portugal. The observations were made in mature trees at several height levels (stem base and 1.3, 3.4, 5.5, 7.6, and 9.7 m). Variance analysis was done considering the core cylinder (first 15 rings) and the sheath (last 10 rings) in relation to tree, height level, and ring effects and their interactions. The wood revealed a high mean density of 0.848 g·cm–3 with small differences between earlywood and latewood (0.717 and 0.908 g·cm–3, respectively). Latewood corresponded on average to 66% of the total ring width, which averaged 2.4 mm. Wood density decreased with height and radially from pith to cambium. However, within-tree variation was of very moderate magnitude although higher for juvenile wood. Variation between trees was also small (6% coefficient of variation of the mean) and higher for the mature wood. Quercus faginea wood compares favourably with other oak species with regard to density characteristics and may be considered for production of quality solid wood products.