Comparing Grade Classification Criteria for Automatic Sorting of Norway Spruce Saw Logs

Grades of centre and side boards from 277 Norway spruce logs were combined to form binary response variables, here denoted as sorting criteria. Four different grading systems were tested. The log geometry variables unevenness, butt taper and top taper were used in logistic regression models. The classification accuracy ranged from 58 to 83%. The accuracy was higher for visual stress grade criteria than for more complex criteria such as the Nordic timber grading rules. The number of tested criteria and thus possible comparisons limited the ability to establish significant differences. The low associations between board grades within logs and between graders, highlight key issues when developing and improving automatic log sorting systems.     

Predicting the Stiffness of Sawn Products by X-ray Scanning of Norway Spruce Saw Logs

The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of strength grading Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] saw logs on the basis of simulated X-ray LogScanner measurements and to evaluate the potential accuracy of X-ray LogScanner measurements of green heartwood density and percentage of heartwood. The study was based on 272 logs for strength grading and 29 logs for measurements of green heartwood density and percentage of heartwood. The logs were scanned using computed tomography (CT). After sawing, the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the centre boards was measured using a strength-grading machine. The CT images were used for simulations of an X-ray LogScanner, resulting in simulated measurements of different variables such as diameter, taper, percentage of heartwood, density and density variations. Multivariate models for prediction of MOE were then calibrated using partial least squares (PLS) regression. The MOE of a log was defined as the mean value of the MOE of the two centre boards. The study showed that the simulated X-ray LogScanner measured the percentage of heartwood and green heartwood density with relatively high accuracy (R ² = 0.94 and R ² = 0.73, respectively, after removing two outliers) and that these and other variables measured by the simulated X-ray LogScanner could be used to predict the stiffness of the centre boards. These predictions were used to sort the logs according to the predicted MOE. When sorting out 50% of the logs (''high-strength'' logs), the percentage of C30 boards increased from 73% (all logs in the study) to 100% (only ''high-strength'' logs). The rest of the logs could then be divided into two groups, one of them with 100% C24 and C30 boards.     

The Use of Stem Rings to Determine Annual Height Increments in Norway Spruce

Whorls of branches were found to be unreliable as indicatorsof nodes in Norway spruce (P. abies (L.) Karst.) Nodal diaphragmsin the pith are shown to be very reliable and precise indicatorsof nodes but their use in measuring annual height incrementsis not practicable except on a small scale or on young material. Stem rings on Norway spruce are described and are shown to originateas depressions on the current years' shoots, associated withthe bud scales. They persist on stems for at least twenty-eightyears. They can be used as precise indicators of nodes and offeran easy and reliable method of measuring annual height increments.     

The Effect of Two Different Price Systems on the Value and Cross-cutting Patterns of Norway Spruce Logs

A computer program of a forward reaching algorithm of dynamic programming is presented for optimal log bucking. The application is implemented using an object-oriented programming approach. Sensitivity analyses were applied for evaluating the effects in terms of economic value and usable volume, and of altering the price system for saw wood. The data used consisted of 451 Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stems collected from 13 forest sites located in three regions in Norway. Grade I and Grade II saw wood and pulpwood were used. The mean timber value increased approximately 1% when the new price system was introduced. The value obtained by introducing the new prices varied between the sites (0.1%-1.6%) as well as between regions (0.3%-1.6%). The analyses based on taper equations over-estimated the total value for all the alternatives. Finally, decreasing the width of stem sections and increasing the number of log length alternatives increased the total value of the sample trees but increased the computation time.     

Research on Stress Wave Tomography of Spruce Logs with Artificial Defects under Different Number Sensors

In order to raise the precision of stress wave imaging technology(SWIT),under the conditions of different area and outline of simulated cavity defects in timber discs of spruce,different number of used sensors,the relationship between imaging graph defects and real defects is studied. The result shows:SWIT can display graph of defects,the precision of imaging graph relates to rate of real defect area and area of the tested wood cross section,the number of used sensors and outline shape of the defects.When the rate rises from 1.6% to 25.0%,the relative error of graph defect area and real defect area drops from 22.6%to 9.7%.When the number of used sensors is from 6 to 24,the graph of SWIT can show the existence of real defect. But the number of sensors used influences the precision of SWIT.Outline shape of defects has certain effect on detection of defects.Under the condition of the same defect area,the defects of long and narrow shape are easy to be shown by graph.The relation error of defect area of suborbicular shape is smaller than that of long and narrow shape.     

不同数量传感器下云杉模拟缺陷材应力波成像规律探讨

以云杉原木圆盘为对象,研究不同面积、不同轮廓形状的空洞缺陷及用不同数量传感器情况时应力波成像技术检测缺陷图像与实际缺陷的关系.结果表明:应力波成像系统可以直观显示木材内部缺陷,其检测精度与空洞等实际缺陷面积和被测木材的截面积比率、使用传感器数量及空洞等缺陷轮廓形状有关;当空洞实际面积与被测木材截而积比从1.6％上升到25.0％时,应力波成像系统显示缺陷图像面积与实际缺陷面积相对误差从22.6％下降到9.7％;成像用传感器数量在6～24个之间时,应力波成像系统均能显示空洞等缺陷的存在,但成像用传感器的数量会影响检测精度;缺陷轮廓形状对应力波成像有一定影响,缺陷面积一定时,狭长形缺陷容易被检出,近圆形缺陷检测相对误差小.     

挪威云杉种源及家系种子播种品质的研究

通过对引进的芬兰挪威云杉5个种源和窄冠垂枝挪威云杉10个家系种子播种品质的方差分析和聚类分析研究表明,挪威云杉种源和窄冠垂枝挪威云杉家系种子净度达98％以上。种子的播种品质与地理分布和起源有关。由北向南种子的千粒重增加、发芽率提高、死亡率下降。另外,天然起源的种子播种品质低于种子园的种子。窄冠垂枝挪威云杉因天然分布区域极为狭窄、种群规模过小,导致由其它因素造成的未萌发百分率高。     

Medium Term Forecast of Available Yield from Norway Spruce Forests in the North-East of France

On the basis of a national forest inventory, made in the yearsabout 1975, the available annual yield of Norway spruce in thenorth east of France was evaluated by means of a growth andyield model. The main parameters of the growth model were estimatedfrom the survey stand data to represent general field conditions,but the results from a former yield study ot Norway spruce inthe same region provided the necessary site curves. A validationof the derived model with stand data not used in the estimationof the model parameters was judged successful. In this papermethodology is emphasized rather than specific results, butuseful features of growth and yield for public and private forests,from 1975 to 2005, are given separately. Thus, stand volume,current annual increment, volumes from thinnings and final fellingappear each decade, and allow the prediction of the evolutionof forest resources and available yield.     

A Basal Area Increment Model for Norway Spruce in Mixed Stands in Estonia

An individual tree basal area increment model was developed for Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst] in mixed stands of spruce and birch in Estonia. Different regression equations were fitted for different combinations of variables to obtain biologically tractable interactions between growth and factors affecting it. The best fit index of the regression model was pursued in trials with variable combinations. The basal area increment was chosen to describe the tree growth and both the diameter and age of the tree were included as independent variables. The logical growth relationships were obtained. The basal area increment has a culmination introduced by the simultaneous influence of tree size and age explicitly included in the model. The stand level attributes contributed modestly to the explanatory power of the model because of the narrow range of stand conditions sampled. The present model is applicable to Estonian conditions.     

挪威云杉林枯枝落叶层元素浸提量的研究

对取自德国Solling的挪威云杉林的不同枯枝落叶层样品进行了一系列浸提实验,结果表明,枯落物分解程度、水∶物的比值和浸提液pH值都是元素浸提的主要控制因素.多数阳离子的浸提受到H+交换机制的很大影响,较低的pH值会导致较高的浸提量;而较高的pH值和稀释作用导致的pH值升高会导致较低的浸提量.在水∶物的比值增加到某一数值之前,水∶物的比值增加会导致浸提液内元素浓度与枯落物元素含量的新平衡,并导致浸提量增大.另外一方面,水∶物的比值增加导致的pH值升高会成为新的限制因素,导致较低的浸提量,尤其对于2、3价阳离子.这两种作用机制的复合效应使浸提量与水∶物的比值的关系曲线非常复杂.建立了森林枯枝落叶层元素含量(T, μmol(+)·kg-1)、浸提液pH值、水∶物的比值(W,kg·kg-1)对元素浸提量(Y,μmol(+)·kg-1枯落物)影响的数学模型.对Na+、K+,Ca2+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Al3+和Fet,模型为Y=A+(T-A)·exp(-B·pH)/[1+C·exp(-W)];对H+,模型为Y＝a+bW c.对严重酸化的枯枝落叶层元素的浸提,不存在所期盼的最优水∶物的比值.水∶物的比值较低时,元素浓度比值变化较大;在水∶物的比值较高时,元素数量比值变化较大.但对严重酸化的枯枝落叶层元素进行浸提时,可把各枯枝落叶层的饱和含水量作为一个折中的水∶物的比值.挪威云杉林枯枝落叶层的未分解层、半分解层、全分解层的饱和含水量分别为3.4、3.2、2.0 kg·kg-1.     

Influence of Cattle Stocking Rate on Browsing of Norway Spruce in Subalpine Wood Pastures

In the Swiss Alps, 15% of Swiss mountain forests are grazed during summer, mainly by cattle. The forest laws of various Swiss cantons characterise forest grazing as a detrimental form of land use and stipulate that this grazing practice should be restricted. However, little is known about tree damage actually caused by cattle. Seven subalpine ranges in the Swiss Canton Grisons, grazed by cattle at different stocking rates, were investigated. The condition of naturally regenerated young trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) was assessed before and after the cattle grazing period. In order to characterise the influence of wild ungulates on the young trees during winter, the assessment of tree condition was repeated in the proximate spring. In total, 4% of the young trees were browsed on the apical shoot, 10% were browsed on lateral shoots, 13% of the trees showed other damage. The variation among ranges could almost completely be explained by the cattle stocking rate (livestock units per hectare). During winter, wild ungulates browsed 3 times as many young trees as the cattle during summer. The results suggest that cattle stocking rates on subalpine wood pastures should not exceed one livestock unit per hectare in order to avoid intensive browsing and other damage by cattle on young Norway spruces.     

Shading Reduces both Visible and Invisible Frost Damage to Norway Spruce Seedlings in the Field

Two-year-old cuttings of Norway spruce were subjected to nightfrosts in spring on an exposed site in southern Sweden. Shadingwas used to assess the influence of sunlight on the extent ofdamage resulting from night frost. Chlorophyll fluorescencewas measured in needles in flushing shoots, and in shoots atthe stage of bud burst. The F_v:F_m ratio was significantly lowerfor plants exposed to light, compared with shaded plants onthe days following the night frost (minimum temperature –6°C).The effect was similar both in 1-year-old and current year needles.The low F_v:F_m ratios indicate damage to photosystem H, causedby an interaction between sub freezing temperatures and highlight intensity. Shading also increased the survival of flushingshoots. It is suggested that regeneration of Norway spruce onsites exposed to frost should be carried out in partial shade,for example under a shelterwood.     

Variation of Density and Growth Ring Width in Stems of Sitka and Norway Spruce

The variation with height and radial distance from the pithof basic density and ring width has been determined in stemsof 48-year-old Sitka and Norway spruce planted at two spacingsat Durris, Kincardineshire. The pattern of radial variationof density was broadly similar at all heights: high near thepith, falling to a minimum and then a gradual increase. Themean whole-stem densities were significantly different at thetwo spacings in Sitka but not in Norway spruce. Density at breastheight was inversely correlated with ring width, strongly inSitka but weakly in Norway spruce. The density/ ring width regressionequation for outer wood in Sitka spruce at age 48 differed fromthat at age 31. In Norway spruce a high correlation was foundbetween whole-stem density and the density of rings 16–25at breast height.     

Single-tree and Group Selection in Montane Norway Spruce Stands: Factors Influencing Operational Efficiency

The operational efficiency of single-tree and group selection with a single-grip harvester was studied in uneven-aged spruce forests at high altitudes in southern Norway. Three harvest intensities of single-tree selection and two group sizes were examined in group selection. Single-tree selection included harvest intensities of 25, 45 and 65% of basal area. Group sizes for group selection were 0.063 and 0.250 ha. Normally, single-tree selection is considered less efficient than group selection or clear-cutting. In this study, because time consumption per cubic metre was primarily dependent upon average harvested tree volume, the large harvested tree size for single-tree selection allowed this treatment to be more efficient than group selection. The two blocks in this study were part of a larger design of five blocks with identical treatments under varying stand conditions. The relative operational efficiency of single-tree selection compared with group selection was greatest in stands of low stocking. Other studies have also shown that mechanical damage to the residual stand is lowest under these conditions.     

德国北部挪威云杉林可持续经营中期计划的实例分析

可持续森林经营理论为中期林业计划和收获调整提供了丰富的模型选择,其不同的方法可应用于各种特定的场合和不同经营类型.本文简要回顾了传统的森林计划方法,一种称为"多林分发展"的概念可以用于任意的经营系统,这个概念把森林看作由一系列林分组成,在每一个林分中可以预先制定多种经营措施的选项,每种选项都可以通过木材或其它产品以及消耗的资源计算出一个目标值.这种简单的概念可以应用到大量的不同森林经营场合,它为森林经营者制定切实可行的森林措施和评价森林经营计划提供方法.在本研究中,以德国北部一片包括21个小班的挪威云杉林班的一个中期计划为例,说明"多林分发展"这一经营系统在实际生产中的应用.每个小班具有不同的初始状态,每个小班预设了若干经营选项,根据小班的初始状态、生长模型为各种选项计算各时期的木材产出.在林班的水平上,经营目标方程包括两个组成部分:净现值和均衡木材收获值.用模拟退火的方法来优化总体目标方程值.优化的总体解决方案在为每个小班选定合适的经营选项的同时,在全林的水平上获得最优的经济和均衡产出组合.     

Phenology Differs among Norway Spruce Populations in Relation to Local Variation in Altitude of Maternal Stands in the Beskidy Mountains

An investigation of phenological and growth traits was conducted in a lowland plantation, comprised of 23 Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seed stands from the Istebna region in the Beskidy Mountains of Poland. Significant differences were found among population in growth initiation, growth termination and the length of shoot elongation period. The two latter traits were highly correlated and were attributed to the altitude of the maternal stand. The tested populations were grouped based on phenology. Progeny of lower-alttitude stands ceased growth later, had a longer duration of shoot growth and greater current leader length compared to progeny of higher-altitude stands. Individual populations, however, did not differ in current-year growth and total tree height, implying higher within-population variation in growth traits than in phenology. The similar growth capacity of all tested populations suggests considerable gene flow between maternal stands, although differences in phenology imply the adaptation of progenies to the altitudinal environment of seed origin. These results suggest that within tested populations, selection is possible based on phenology alone, without considerable reduction of early height growth; final decisions, however, should be based on the environmental conditions of the planting site.     

德国北部挪威云杉林可持续经营计划中空间目标的优化

根据德国北部挪威云杉林相邻林分问的特定地理关系,包括林分重心间的距离和共同边界的长度,建立了德国北部挪威云杉林经营的一个空间优化模型,该模型是一种新的空间优化方法.地理数据从GIS中获得并保存到数据库中,数据库还包括林分选项和相应的目标方程值等内容.首先使用了一个由41个林分组成的林班,每个林分21个选项,采用模拟退火的方法来分别和综合优化经济模型、均衡产出模型和空间模型,并将它们的结果方案与具最大净现值的方案进行比较.当均衡产出和空间2个组成部分逐一加入到目标方程后,它们显著地改进了结果方案,而经济目标只有中等程度的下降.     

Risk of Snow Damage in Unmanaged and Managed Stands of Scots Pine,Norway Spruce and Birch

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of snow damage to trees in unmanaged and managed stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] and birch (Betula spp.) over a rotation. The risk assessment was based on the prediction of critical snow loads in interaction with the windspeed at which trees can be expected to break or be uprooted, and on the frequency of long-term extremes of precipitation and of suitable temperature conditions for the accumulation of snow on the tree crowns. The Scots pine stands were found to be more susceptible to snow damage than the others, and an unmanaged stand of Scots pine to be more susceptible to break and uproot than a managed one. Correspondingly, an unmanaged stand of Norway spruce was more susceptible to stem breakage than a managed one, but less susceptible to uprooting. Neither unmanaged nor managed birch stands were likely to suffer any kind of snow damage. The susceptibility of unmanaged stands is caused by low tapering of the trees. Based on the frequency of long-term extremes in precipitation at the temperatures needed for snow accumulation on tree crowns, critical snow loads of 10-19, 20-29 and 30-39 kg m^-2 occurred 19.3, 3.3 and 1.3 times in a decade in southern Finland. Critical snow loads of 10-19, 20-29, 30-39 and 60-69 kg m^-2 occurred in northern Finland 17.0, 6.3, 1.7 and 0.3 times in a decade.     

Effect of Drought on Growth and Mortality of Actively Growing Norway Spruce Container Seedlings Planted in Summer

Survival, root egress and height growth of 13-month-old actively growing Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) container seedlings exposed to preplanting drying treatments (0, 4, and 8 days) and postplanting drought periods (1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks) were studied in the field between 5 July and 18 August 1999. The mortality of seedlings increased and the height growth and root egress decreased throughout the postplanting drought period. Postplanting performance was also affected by preplanting drying treatments. The results indicate that no risk of excessive mortality and growth restrictions occurs when actively growing seedlings are planted in summer, provided that seedlings are well watered before planting and the drought period does not exceed 3 weeks.