Relationships of anatomical characteristics versus shrinkage and collapse properties in plantation-grown eucalypt wood from China

To explore the influence of the basic density on collapse-type shrinkage properties and to quantify the relationships of the main anatomical features with shrinkage and collapse properties, all above-mentioned parameters were determined and analyzed for three species of collapse-susceptible eucalypts, Eucalyptus urophylla, Eucalyptus grandis, and E. urophylla × E. grandis, planted in South China. The correlation coefficients were also determined and the corresponding regression equations were established with the anatomical parameters measured by using multiple linear regression. The results indicated that: (1) basic density was strongly positively linearly related to both unit tangential shrinkage (r = 0.970) and unit radial shrinkage (r = 0.959), weakly positively related to total shrinkage (r = 0.656 and 0.640 for tangential and radial, respectively), and weakly negatively related to residual collapse (r = 0.632 and 0.616 for tangential and radial, respectively). (2) The main factors affecting unit shrinkage were cell wall proportion (WP), microfibril angle (MFA), and double fiber cell wall thickness (DWT); factors playing an important role in total shrinkage were WP, ray parenchyma proportion (RP), and MFA, while RP had the highest effect on residual collapse (r = 0.949 and 0.860 for tangential and radial, respectively). (3) All corresponding regression models obtained were very suitable for the evaluation of relationships between the anatomical parameters and unit shrinkage, total shrinkage, and residual collapse, as measured using a moisture content of 28% as the fiber saturation point for all specimens.     

Physical and mechanical properties of Pinus leucodermis wood

Abstract

The present work reports on the main physical and mechanical properties of Pinus leucodermis mature wood, one of the least studied coniferous species in south-east Europe. Pinus leucodermis heartwood specimens were found to have average density values of 0.73 g cm^?3 at equilibrium moisture content of 11.5% and average density of 0.64 g cm^?3 under oven-dry conditions. The overall tangential shrinkage was 3.4% and the radial shrinkage was 1.9%. The modulus of rupture was on average 77 N mm^?2, while the static modulus of elasticity averaged 7087 N mm^?2. The hardness of P. leucodermis heartwood using the modified Janka test was 33.4 N mm^?2 in the transverse direction and 48.0 N mm^?2 in the longitudinal direction, while its compression strength parallel to grain was approximately 41.6 N mm^?2.     

Sound absorption property of wood for five eucalypt species

The sound absorption coefficients of wood and wood boards for five eucalypt species (Eucalyptus urophylla, Eucalyptus urophylla x E. grandis, Eucalyptus urophylla x E. tereticornis, Eucalyptus urophylla x E. camaldulensis and Eucalyptus cloeziana) that were collected from plantation in Dongmen Forestry Center of Guangxi Province, China were tested with standing wave method and their sound absorption properties were also compared. The results showed that the sound absorption coefficients of the five eucalypt wood species did not change evidently below 1000 Hz, but above 1000 Hz their sound absorption coefficients increased with the increasing frequency. The difference in sound absorption coefficient among five species of eucalypt wood is not evident at the tested frequency range (200–2000 Hz), but the sound absorption property ofEucalyptus urophylla at low frequency is better than that of other four species. The sound absorption coefficient of the tangential-sawn board is higher than that of the radial-sawn board. The sound absorption property of eucalypt wood of 0.5 cm in thickness is much better than that of 1.0 cm in thickness. It is concluded that wood sound absorption properties of eucalypts are affected by their board thickness and the type of sawn timber within the testing frequency, but the variance of wood sound absorption property among the five tested species is not significant. Fundation item This study is Part of 2000-4-13 in “948” Project from the State Forestry Administration of P.R. China Biography: JIANG Ze-hui (1939-), female, Professor in Research Institute of Wood Industry in Chinese Academy of Forestry. Responsible editor: Chai Ruihai     

Effects of Eucalyptus obliqua (L'Herit) density on young stands of even-aged Pinus radiata (D. Don)

In a 10-year-old Pinus radiata plantation, increasing densities of Eucalyptus obliqua, a woody weed species, caused reductions in the canopy leaf area and total stem volume of P. radiata. As the density of E. obliqua increased stand volume (the sum of stem volumes of the two species) was constant, but the sum of projected leaf area of the two species decreased. Higher E. obliqua density also resulted in higher mean height to diameter ratio of P. radiata. With increasing E. obliqua density the size distribution of P. radiata became more positively skewed and the size hierarchy of P. radiata increased. The effects of E. obliqua density on P. radiata are more likely due to below-ground competition than competition for light above-ground. Understanding the effects of E. obliqua density on the characteristics of P. radiata can benefit weed control programs and subsequent management of plantations with naturally regenerated E. obliqua.     

Breakdown of barrier zones and prediction of the spread of discolouration and decay resulting from stem wounds in Eucalyptus regnans and E. obliqua

In Eucalyptus regnans and E. obliqua a rapid increase in the spread of defects (discolouration and decay) was observed more than 14 years after wounding. This increase was due to a breakdown of the barrier zone and the subsequent spread of defects into wood formed after wounding. Satisfactory relationships predicting defect extent using time since wounding could not be derived.     

Influence of heating history on dynamic viscoelastic properties and dimensions of dry wood

To obtain new information about the mechanical and physical properties of dry wood in unstable states, the influence of heating history on viscoelastic properties and dimensional changes of dry wood in the radial, tangential, and longitudinal directions was studied between 100° and 200°C. Unstable states of dry wood still existed after heating at 105°C for 30 min and were modified by activated molecular motion in the first heating process to temperatures above 105°C. This phenomenon is thought to be caused by the unstable states reappearing after wetting and drying again. Dry wood components did not completely approach the stable state in the temperature range tested, because they did not entirely surpass the glass transition temperatures in most of the temperature range. In constant temperature processes at 135° and 165°C, E′ increased and E″ decreased with time regardless of the direction. This indicated that the unstable states of dry wood components were gradually modified with time at constant temperatures. On the other hand, anisotropy of dimensional change existed and dimension increased in the longitudinal direction, was unchanged in the radial direction, and decreased in the tangential direction with time at constant temperatures. Part of this report was presented at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Chubu Branch of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, August 2003     

Changes in physical properties of tropical and temperate hardwoods below and above the fiber saturation point

Changes in physical and mechanical properties of wood were analyzed using sorption tests combined with dimensional measurements and perpendicular-to-the-grain tangential compression tests. In order to determine the influence of wood structure on these changes, three hardwood species (Fagus grandifolia, Brosimum alicastrum and Cariniana domestica) presenting different anatomical structures were studied. Two experimental techniques were used to perform moisture sorption tests at 25°C. The first technique used saturated salt solutions (from 33 to 90% relative humidity) and the second used the pressure membrane method (above 96% relative humidity). Special attention was given to the “fiber saturation region”, where changes in wood properties started to take place. Results showed that at equilibrium moisture content (EMC), radial, tangential and volumetric shrinkage, as well as changes in transverse strength occurred above the fiber saturation point (FSP). This behavior can be explained by the effect of hysteresis at saturation on wood properties. This hysteresis indicates that loss of bound water takes place in the presence of liquid or capillary water, which contradicts the concept of FSP. The initial EMC at which bound water starts to be removed varied largely among the wood species.     

Shrinkage properties of second-growth southern yellow pine

Summary Several factors which may affect the shrinkage of wood had been studied using loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). It was observed that volumetric, tangential and radial shrinkages decreased as the height increased. Longitudinal shrinkage increased with height. Only tangential shrinkage was significantly affected by the distance from the pith factor. All shrinkages were found to vary significantly according to cardinal directions. For the trees studied, lower volumetric, tangential and radial shrinkages were observed for specimens from the south side of the pith. Longitudinal shrinkage was noticeably higher in this direction.Although shrinkage of wood for any given specific gravity was found to vary somewhat with trees, it was, in general, significantly affected by specific gravity. Volumetric, tangential and radial shrinkages increased with increasing specific gravity. The opposite was true for longitudinal shrinkage. According to regression equations derived from this study, tangential, radial and longitudinal shrinkage values were not zero but 2.79–3.45, and 0.526 percent, respectively, at zero specific gravity. Above 0.72 specific gravity, radial shrinkage of the species studied was found to be greater than tangential shrinkage.The effect of growth rate (number of rings per inch) on shrinkage was found to be insignificant.

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Zusammenfassung Verschiedene, die Schwindung beeinflussende Faktoren wurden an Holz von Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) untersucht. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die Volumenschwindung, die tangentiale und die radiale Schwindung mit zunehmender Höhenlage der Proben im Stamm abnahmen, während die Längsschwindung größer wurde. Nur die tangentiale Schwindung wurde deutlich vom Abstand der Probe von der Markröhre beeinflußt. Es zeigte sich ferner, daß alle Schwindungswerte in Abhängigkeit von den Himmelsrichtungen beträchtlich schwankten. Bei den untersuchten Bäumen waren die Volumenschwindung, die tangentiale und die radiale Schwindung von Probestücken aus dem nach Süden liegenden Stammteil geringer, wogegen die Längsschwindung in dieser Richtung merklich größer war.Trotz gewisser Schwankungen von Stamm zu Stamm erwies sich die Schwindung deutlich von der Dichte abhängig. Die Volumenschwindung, die tangentiale und radiale Schwindung nahmen mit zunehmender Dichte ebenfalls zu, wohingegen die Längsschwindung abnahm. Die mit den erhaltenen Werten aufgestellten Regressionsgleichungen ergaben für die Tangential-, Radial- und Längsschwindung bei einer Dichte von 0 nicht ebenfalls 0, sondern 2,79%,-3,45% und 0,527%. Für Dichten über 0,72% wurde die radiale Schwindung der untersuchten Proben größer als die tangentiale.Die Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit (Anzahl der Jahrringe pro cm) hatte keinen signifikanten Einfluß auf die Schwindung.

     

Stand-replacing wildfires?: The incidence of multi-cohort and single-cohort Eucalyptus regnans and E. obliqua forests in southern Tasmania

The natural age structure of wet eucalypt forest has important implications for biodiversity conservation and the mode of wood production. Southern Tasmanian wet eucalypt forests were sampled to describe age class variation and to test the following hypotheses that relate to it: (1) Eucalyptus regnans stands are more likely to be single-cohort than Eucalyptus obliqua and mixed stands; (2) old-growth trees are associated with multi-cohort wet eucalypt forests; (3) the E. regnans stands are more multi-cohort than Victorian E. regnans stands. Data from 762 stands, all with either E. obliqua or E. regnans were analysed to determine how stand characteristics related to forest type and to the presence of old-growth trees. Over half the stands studied were multi-cohort. Stands with E. regnans had a lesser tendency towards multi-cohortness than stands lacking this species, although most old-growth stands, including those dominated by E. regnans, were multi-cohort. In contrast, most regrowth stands of all species combinations were single-cohort. The proportions of E. regnans stands that were multi-cohort were similar to some estimates from the same type of forest in Victoria. Modifications of forestry regimes in wet eucalypt forests could help to maintain the existence of these biodiverse multi-cohort forests in the landscape.     

长江滩地杨木密度和干缩性的研究

对安庆段长江滩地I-72杨的密度和干缩性进行了研究。结果表明:I-72杨的气干密度、全干密度和基本密度分别为0.454 g/cm3、0.415 g/cm3和0.364 g/cm3;I-72杨木材密度的径向变异为自髓心向外,最初递减,然后再向外层递增;轴向变异为沿树干向上逐渐增加;I-72杨的径向、弦向和体积全干缩率分别为3.917%、8.093%和12.138%,体积干缩系数为0.169,差异干缩为2.107;I-72杨5.3 m高度处的径向、弦向和体积全干缩率测量值均大于1.3 m高度处的测量值。     

杉木和I-72杨人工林木材干缩性质的研究

通过对杉木和I-72杨人工林木材南北向、不同高度位置、不同径向位置横向干缩(弦、径向)的测量,研究上述3个因素对2种木材横向干缩(弦、径向)的影响规律。结果表明:南北向的不同对杉木和I-72杨人工林木材的干缩均无显著影响;高度位置的不同对杉木和I-72杨木的弦向干缩均有显著影响,而对径向干缩则无显著影响;径向位置的不同对杉木和I-72杨人工林木材的径、弦向干缩均有极显著影响:从树皮到髓心,木材径、弦向干缩逐渐减小,与其基本密度的变化趋势一致。     

Collapse-type shrinkage characteristics in plantation-grown eucalypts： I . Correlations of basic density and some structural indices with shrinkage and collapse properties

Collapse-type shrinkage is one of highly refractory drying defects in low-medium density plantation-grown eucalypt wood used as solid wood products. Basic density (BD), microfibril angle (MFA), double fibre cell wall thickness (DWT), proportion of ray parenchyma (RP), unit cell wall shrinkage, total shrinkage and residual collapse, which are associated with collapse-type shrinkage characteristics, were investigated by using simple regression method for three species of collapse-susceptible Eucalyptus urophyll, E. grandis and E.urophyllaxE.grandis, planted at Dong-Men Forest Farm in Guangxi autonomous region, China. The results indicated that : unit cell wall shrinkage had a extremely strong positive correlation with BD, moderately strong positive correlation with DWT, and a weakly or moderately negative correlation with RP and MFA; total shrinkage was positively correlated with BD, DWT and RP and negatively related to MFA, but not able to be predicted ideally by any examined factors alone owing to lower R^2 value (R^2≤0.5712); residual collapse was negatively correlated with BD and DWT, linearly positively correlated with MFA, and had strongly positive linear correlation with RP. It is concluded that BD can be used as single factor (R^2≥0.9412) to predicate unit cell wall shrinkage and RP is the relatively sound indicator for predicting residual collapse     

栽植密度对杉木木材干缩性能的影响

对两种不同栽植密度的杉木Cunninghamialanceolata木材密度和弦向、径向、体积全干干缩率进行了测定和分析．结果表明,木材密度随着栽植密度的增大而增大,且达到极显著水平;而木材弦向、径向和体积全干干缩率,则随着栽植密度的增大而减小;两种栽植密度的木材体积全干干缩率与基本密度呈负相关;木材干缩比与基本密度、栽植密度大的呈正相关,与栽植密度小的呈负相关．因此,适当增加栽植密度可以改善杉木木材的性质,但其影响规律仍需进一步研究．     

Chemical alterations induced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pycnoporus sanguineus</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus flavipes</Emphasis> co-cultures in wood from different tree species

Chemical alterations following inoculation of Acacia mearnsii, Eucalyptus dunnii, E. grandis, and E. macarthurii with a Pycnoporus sanguineus/Aspergillus flavipes co-culture were investigated. Several wood chemical parameters were measured using standard methods from the pulp and paper industry. The data were described and analyzed using univariate as well as multivariate statistical techniques. Boxplots and in particular biplots show clearly how the chemical composition of each tree species was differently affected by the co-culture. Lignin content was significantly decreased in A. mearnsii, while E. dunnii showed a decrease in cellulose content. The results, therefore, indicate that the manner in which wood is degraded by a specific fungal co-culture depends on the tree species involved. This phenomenon should be considered when selecting fungi for bio-pulping.     

Eucalypt Wood Anatomical and Physical Properties and Their Effects on Plywood Veneer Quality

In order to better understand the reasons why eucalypt veneer checks easily and severely, wood samples of three eucalypt species were selected, and their anatomical and physical properties were examined according to conventional methods and the national standards. The effects of variances in cell wall thickness of wood fibre and vessel, and diameter of the cell lumen as well as the tissue ratio on the quality of plywood veneer were analysed. The results show that： 1） There is a great difference in fibre cell wall thickness and diameter of the cell lumen between early wood and late wood of Eucalyptus delegatensis. 2） E. obliqua has a high wood fibre tissue ratio and the thickest fibre cell wall, but the difference inthe fibre cell wall thickness between early wood and late wood is the smallest. 3） The wood fibre tissue ratio of E. regnans is smaller than that of E. obliqua, and its wood fibre cell wall isthe thinnest and there is only a very small difference in fibre cell wall thickness between early wood and late wood. The difference inthe diameter of wood fibre cell lumen among early wood, transition area and late wood is also small： 4） E. delegatensis has the highest tangential shrinkage rate and radial-tangential shrinkage rate, andE. obliqua has the lowest. It is the variability of wood anatomical properties of these species that cause the difference in the veneer shrinkagei and then affects plywood veneer quality.     

Examination of within-tree variations and the heights representing whole-tree values of derived wood properties for quasi-non-destructive breeding of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus globulus as quality pulpwood

Within-tree variations of derived wood properties of Runkel ratio, Luces shape factor, slenderness ratio, and solids factor were examined for Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus globulus trees and the tendency difference in the within-tree variations between individuals and between species, in both radial and axial directions by statistical data analysis. These properties are important for quality breeding of pulpwood. In both species, within-tree variations were generally observed as higher values in the upper and outer parts compared with other parts of the trunk for Runkel ratio and Luces shape factor. In E. camaldulensis, within-tree variations were observed as higher values in the upper and outer parts compared with other parts of the trunk for slenderness ratio and solids factor. In E. globulus, within-tree variations were observed as higher values in the outer parts compared with other parts for slenderness ratio and solids factor. However, significant difference of tendency was observed in radial variation between individuals of E. globulus for Runkel ratio and in both radial and axial variations between species for solids factor. Furthermore, within-tree variations of derived wood properties were analyzed to determine a sampling height in the trunk which can be used to represent whole-tree values. Representative heights of derived wood properties from two trees were found to be 2.8m in E. camaldulensis (except for Runkel ratio and Luces shape factor) and 1.8m in E. globules (except for Runkel ratio), regardless of differences in tree height (growth rate) and in tendency of within-tree variation of derived wood properties.     

Variability in physical properties of plantation-grown progenies of Melia composita and determination of a kiln-drying schedule

Plantation-grown progenies of Melia composita Willd.were studied for variability in several physical properties: density,radial and tangential shrinkage,longitudinal permeability of heartwood and sapwood.Furthermore,flat-sawn planks from each of the progeny were subjected to a quick-drying test for determination of kilndrying schedule.The mean density of the species was 0.39 g cm~(-3) and the wood may be categorized as light wood.Mean radial shrinkage(%) for the species was 2.8% with progeny-wise variation in radial shrinkage from 1.56 to 4.11%.Mean tangential shrinkage(%) for the species was 5.54% with progeny-wise variation in tangential shrinkage from 3.69 to 7.71%.The resultant tangentialradial shrinkage ratio was 1.98(less than two),which suggests that the wood is relatively stable with respect to drying behavior.Mean sapwood and heartwood longitudinal permeability of the species were 3.38 and 2.02 Darcy,respectively.Higher longitudinal permeability of sapwood and heartwood indicate better drying and preservative properties of the species.Terazawa quick-drying test method suggests that the species is less susceptible to drying defects.During the test,only moderate checks and cracks were observed.A tentative kiln-drying schedule was recommended based on these results.     

A technique to identify annual growth rings in Eucalyptus grandis usingannual measurements of diameter at breast height and gamma raydensitometry

Many eucalypt species do not show distinct growth rings because cambial activity does not show a strong response to seasonal variation in climate. Eucalyptus grandis, one of the most important commercial hardwood species in South Africa, is one such example of a species that does not have well-defined growth rings. The light and dark bands visible on the cross-section of the wood of E. grandis do not always correspond with the growing season, which makes it difficult to resolve wood property data into annual increments. A method was developed to separate growth rings on wood density profiles of E. grandis into annual increments using bark-to-pith density profiles and annual measurements of diameter at breast height (DBH) from permanent sample plot (PSP) datasets. Using the PSP data, it was possible to assess the annual pattern of stem diameter growth at a compartment level by calculating the radial increment (RI) per year and expressing that value as a percentage of the radius at the end of the increment for that year. Mean radial increment percentage (%MRI) was calculated for each year and used to predict annual RI at an individual tree level. Predicted RI values for each tree were expressed as cumulative distances from the bark end and superimposed onto their respective density profiles. Predicted RI corresponded well with latewood density peaks and these separation points were considered a reliable guide to divide the density profile into annual increments closer to the bark end and into broader age classes closer to the pith. By assessing the pattern of variation in radial density within the context of the growth history of a compartment by means of annual PSP data, it was possible to confirm that growth rings on density profiles of E. grandis closer to the bark end can serve as a reliable representation of annual growth.     

Relationship between fibre morphology and shrinkage of wood

Summary This is a study on the shrinkage of wood representing the wide range of morphology variation in leaning trees. It involved 13 trees of Eucalyptus regnans, one of Eucalyptus sieberi and four of Pinus radiata, and specimens taken at close intervals around the circumference of each. Data indicated a systematic modulation, between extremes at upper and lower sides of each stem, in longitudinal growth strains, relative proportions of thin, medium and thick-walled fibres, microfibril angle in the S₂ layer of these, and both Klason and acid-soluble lignin content. Analyses indicated that the microfibril angle in S₂ was a prime factor in influencing both longitudinal and volumetric shrinkage reactions; proportion of thick-walled fibres in the tissue, thickness of S₂ relative to S₁, and variations in lignification also were involved. Unusually thick-walled fibres were associated with visco-elastic strain recovery effects, which could form a substantial part of dimensional changes apparently attributable to shrinkage.Relevant to 10 of the E. regnans trees in this study, appreciation is expressed to three colleagues for providing access to the detailed data on strain, cell wall thickness, and volumetric shrinkage involved in their published study [Nicholson, J. E., Hillis, W. E., and Ditchburne, N. 1975]. By prior arrangement to minimize duplication of effort, their data were derived from specimens from those trees that were involved in this study.     

SEM and NIR characterization of four forest species charcoal

This paper characterizes wood and charcoal made from Hymenaea aurea, Mimosa scabrella, Tabebuia capitata and Eucalyptus alba by scanning electron microscopy and near infrared for the purpose of developing a technique to identify the source of charcoal samples. Ten test samples were prepared for each species, oriented in transverse, radial and tangential section. Samples were carbonized in a muffle furnace with a final temperature of 450 °C and a heating rate of 1.66 °C/min. The microscopic structures of the wood and charcoal samples were verified by scanning electron microscopy, and spectra were obtained with a spectrophotometer, equipped with an integrating sphere and operating in transmittance mode. The spectra of the wood samples present characteristic bands of lignocellulosic material, while the spectra of the charcoal samples show small or nil absorption in the near-infrared region. The near-infrared spectroscopy technique was efficient in discriminating the four species studied.