Blackening of Diospyros genus xylem in connection with boron content

The amount of boron contained in the xylem of Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) and ebony (Diospyros ebenum Koen) was determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectrometry and a modified curcumin–acetic acid method. The boron content was compared between the heartwood and sapwood of ebony as well as between a blackened portion (“kurogaki”) and normal portion of Japanese persimmon. The kurogaki contained a higher level of boron than the normal portion of the same individual, although the boron content varied among individuals. Moreover, the boron content of the heartwood of ebony was much higher than that of the sapwood. These results suggest the participation of boron in the blackening of Japanese persimmon. Because both kurogaki and heartwood of ebony are durable to fungal attack, the blackening of Diospyros genus appears to be related to the formation of defensive substances in which boron seems to take part. The convenient curcumin–acetic acid method is an alternative to the ICP method with comparable accuracy.     

Blackening of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) heartwood in relation to metal content and moisture content

Blackening in heartwood was investigated in relation to the metal contents and the moisture content in xylem of about 50-year-old seedling sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) planted in a steeply sloped stand in Okutama district (Itsukaichi Tokyo), where blackened heartwood is frequently found. The potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese contents were examined in the variously blackened heartwood and normal heartwood by an atomic absorption method. It was recognized that potassium increased relative to the degree of the blackening of heartwood, resulting in a significant correlation between them. This finding implies that an increase in potassium has an important role in the blackening of heartwood. Moisture content has a tendency to increase in the blackened heartwood, so it seems that the large accumulation of potassium is associated with the high moisture content in heartwood.This work was presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society at Morioka, August 1993     

Fuelwood characteristics of tree species in homegardens of Kerala, India

Indiscriminate use of natural resources in the past has lead to fuelwood shortages in many parts of the tropical world. To surmount this domestic energy crisis, not only degraded sites must be planted with trees having high fuel value potential, but also agroforestry promoted on arable lands. To enable choice of species for such energy plantations/agroforests in the humid tropics of peninsular India, we assessed the heat of combustion and physical properties that determine combustion of phytofuels, such as ash content, specific gravity and moisture content. Bark and wood samples of 45 multipurpose tree species in the homegardens of Kerala, India and three fuel materials of local importance (coconut [Cocos nucifera] endocarp, dried coconut spathe and dehiscent rubber [Hevea braziliensis] pericarp) were evaluated. Variations abound in the calorific values and physical properties of species and tissue-types. In general, heat of combustion and specific gravity followed the sequence: heartwood > sapwood > bark, while mean ash percentage followed a reverse order (bark > sapwood > heartwood). Ash content had a negative correlation with heat of combustion, but specific gravity exerted a positive influence. Furthermore, ash content and wood specific gravity were inversely related. Although green moisture content increased in the order: bark < heartwood < sapwood, it failed to show any predictable relationship with heat of combustion.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of temperature and moisture content on selected wood mechanical properties involved in the chipping process

The effects of temperature and moisture content on selected mechanical properties associated with the chipping process were evaluated. In chipping, mechanical properties such as shear parallel to the grain, cleavage, and bending are involved. Matched samples of heartwood and sapwood were obtained from freshly harvested logs of black spruce and balsam fir to determine the variation of the studied mechanical properties between ?30 and 20 °C, at intervals of 10 °C. Moisture content (MC), basic density (BD), and annual ring width (RW) were measured for each sample. For both wood species, temperature had a significant effect on all mechanical properties under freezing conditions (below 0 °C). This effect was more important for sapwood than for heartwood, which was explained by the difference in MC between these two types of wood. Between 0 and 20 °C, temperature and type of wood did not show any significant effect on the mechanical properties. Multiple regression models were obtained to predict the mechanical properties. These regressions showed that MC was the most important factor to explain the mechanical properties below 0 °C. However, for temperatures of 0 °C and higher, BD was the principal factor to predict the mechanical properties. RW was not a significant factor to predict any mechanical property. Cleavage was the most sensitive one to changes in temperature followed by shear, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity. These results could be of great importance in the chipping process.     

13种杨树木材物理力学性质的研究

采集1－69杨等10种黑杨的9年生试材，易县毛白杨等3种白杨的13年生试材，测试木材物理力学性能，分析心边材，不同树高位置，株间的变化规律，比较品种间木材性质的差异，试验结果表明，13种杨树全树木材心材率在14．6－34．1％，之间，生材含水率在86．2－148．5％之间，由生材干燥至含水率为12％所产生的干缩率在8．66％－11．96％这间，气干密度属低类或很低类，强度属弱类，硬度属软类或甚软类，冲击韧性中等；黑杨心材颜色深，心边材性质差异大，白杨心材颜色淡，心边材性质差异小，品种间木材物理力学性质差异较大，按其主要特点可将13个品种的木材分为4类。     

Development of heartwood,sapwood,bark,pith and specific gravity of teak(Tectona grandis) in fast-growing plantations in Costa Rica

To elucidate the development of heartwood,bark,sapwood,pith and specific gravity of wood in fastgrowing teak(Tectona grandis)plantations in Costa Rica,we sampled three trees in each of 55 plantations and modelled each variable with age,site and different tree heights.Age and stand density of plantations were significant correlated with stem diameter at breast height and total height of the tree.Formation of heartwood was initiated at the age of 4-year-old and increased in direct proportion with age.The age of plantation had a significant relationship with stem diameter at breast height,heartwood percentage,sapwood thickness,sapwood percentage,percentage of bark,pith diameter and percentage,and specify gravity.The model for these tree parameters was model with these parameters as dependent variable and in relation to age as independent variable.     

Gas in stems: abundance and potential consequences for tree biomechanics

Secondary xylem of woody plants has a large volumetric proportion of gas occupying spaces that would otherwise be filled with water. We examined whether these gas-filled voids have a mechanical role by either decreasing the fresh mass the tree must support (by replacing some of the water with gas) or by providing inexpensive filler to increase stem diameter (thereby increasing the second moment of area at the expense of the modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture). Calculations from published data show that temperate softwood species (n = 26) average 18 and 50% gas by volume for sapwood and heartwood, respectively; temperate hardwood species (n = 31) average 26% gas by volume in both the sapwood and heartwood; and tropical species (n = 52) with mixed sapwood and heartwood have 18% gas by volume. In this paper, we develop equations to show how gas affects the mechanical behavior of tree stems, and describe model results to show how gas affects mechanical stability, based on mass and stem diameters for six 34-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees. For the same applied load, modeled stems in which the gas space was filled with water differed in their surface stresses by < 2% from modeled stems in the native state (partially gas-filled), indicating no practical benefit from a reduction in stem mass due to gas. A second modeling scenario compared the native state to stems in which gas was removed and stem diameters decreased (and material properties adjusted to concur with the increased wood density) to conserve mass. Removal of the gas-filled voids resulted in up to 41% higher surface stress for the same applied load, caused by a decrease in the second moment of area greater than the increase in modulus of elasticity. Trees with gas removed had higher modulus of rupture, but could withstand up to 14% lower maximum wind forces than trees in their native state, suggesting a biomechanical role for the gas if the model assumptions are valid. The gas content may, however, have evolved in response to pressures unrelated to biomechanics. We discuss some of its potential effects on sapwood physiology.     

Outdoor exposure of untreated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] wood samples

Abstract

Untreated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) samples were exposed above ground in a durability test for 6 years. The samples consisted of three pieces of wood, 22×95×500 mm, screwed together; two pieces lengthwise with a third piece overlapping. Weight was measured, to calculate moisture content (MC), and samples checked regularly for cracks and fungal growth. Parameters investigated were heartwood/sapwood (pine), annual ring orientation (spruce), stand site, annual ring width and density. Stand site, annual ring width and density had no influence on MC or fungal growth for either pine or spruce. Spruce samples with vertical annual rings had fewer cracks than samples with horizontal annual rings. Pine sapwood samples had a high MC and a large amount of rot fungi, while heartwood had a lower MC and no rot. Most spruce samples were similar to pine heartwood, except from a few samples that had high MC and fungal growth. Those were all sawn from the outer part of the log. Therefore, it can be stated that spruce sawn from the inner part has almost the same properties as pine heartwood, while spruce from the outer part of the log has similar properties to pine sapwood.     

黑木相思株内木材基本材性变化与树龄关系的研究

对不同树龄和径向位置黑木相思木材的物理和主要力学性质测定研究表明:黑木相思株内边材、心材密度和主要力学性质随着树龄的增大而增大,径向和弦向的体积干缩率随着树龄的增大而减小;相同树龄黑木相思的边材密度和力学性能比心材小,干缩率比心材大.因此,在利用黑木相思时应对树龄、心边材径向位置加以特别考虑.     

Characterization of strength properties of branchwood and stemwood of some tropical hardwood species

The mechanical strength properties of the branchwood of Aningeria robusta and Terminalia ivorensis with diameters ranging from 10 to 25 cm were examined to determine the suitability of branchwood as raw material for downstream processing. The study precisely assessed the static bending strengths, compression strengths and shear strengths parallel to the grain of the branchwood and stemwood of T. ivorensis and A. robusta. It was observed that under static bending, the overall (sapwood and heartwood combined) modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of the branchwood of A. robusta and T. ivorensis were lower than that of their corresponding stemwood. The results further show that the overall compression and shear strengths parallel to the grain of the branchwood of A. robusta and T. ivorensis were higher than that of their corresponding stemwood. Under static bending, compression parallel to the grain, and shear parallel to the grain, the experimental results indicate that the sapwood of the branchwood from both T. ivorensis and A. robusta had lower strength values than that of their corresponding heartwood. Similar results were recorded for the stemwood of T. ivorensis where the heartwood had higher strength values than the sapwood. However, in the case of the stemwood of A. robusta, the sapwood had higher strength values than the corresponding heartwood.     

Inter-clonal, intra-clonal, and single tree variations of wood anatomical properties and specific gravity of clonal ramets of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

Inter-clonal, intra-clonal and within tree variations in specific gravity and wood anatomical properties of 8-year-old grown ramets of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. have been investigated. Radial and location-wise intra-clonal variations were non-significant for anatomical properties and specific gravity for all six clones at all three sites. However, inter-clonal variations in wood anatomical properties and specific gravity were significantly different. Inter-clonal variations in anatomical properties and specific gravity were also significant due to sites, which indicated that site-characteristics overshadowed the genetic priority of different clones for wood anatomical properties. Average fiber-characteristics of all clones showed the best performance at Lalkuan, Haldwani (site III), while average specific gravity performed well at Brandis Road, Dehradun (site I) followed by site III (Lalkuan, Haldwani) and site II (Lachchiwala, Dehradun). Within tree variations in anatomical properties like fiber length, fiber diameter, wall thickness, vessel member length and vessel member diameter due to vertical or radial direction and location (pith to periphery) are non-significant. Radial direction, location and height showed no impact on wood element variation. It indicated that there is no impact of juvenile wood, sapwood and heartwood ratio, and reaction wood on wood anatomical properties of 8-year-old ramet of D. sissoo. It further indicated that clone raised ramet of 8-year-old D. sissoo showed the characteristics of mature wood. Within tree variations in specific gravity were significant due to height, which may be related to differential sapwood and heartwood ratio in the vertical direction. Different wood elements viz. fiber length, fiber diameter, wall thickness, vessel member length and vessel member diameter showed significant correlations with each other and with specific gravity.     

Biomechanical and hydraulic determinants of tree structure in Scots pine: anatomical characteristics

The development of anatomical, hydraulic and biomechanical properties in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stems aged 7 to 59 years was followed. The hydraulic diameter and length of tracheids increased with age to a maximum at 15 and 35 years, respectively. Number of tracheids per unit of sapwood area decreased with age to a minimum of 500-600 tracheids mm(-2). Variations in specific hydraulic conductivity and Young's modulus of stems were associated with variation in anatomical properties. Over the time sequence considered, hydraulic and mechanical properties were positively related to each other and followed a similar developmental pattern, with no suggestion of a trade-off between the two. For most of the tree's life-cycle, heartwood made only a small contribution to whole-section mechanical stiffness because of its location close to the flexural neutral axis, and because of the presence of juvenile wood.     

Some factors influencing susceptibility to discoloring fungi and water uptake of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis)

Abstract

The heartwood and sapwood from Scots pine (PS), Norway spruce (PA), and Oriental spruce (PO) were tested for susceptibility to discoloring fungi and water uptake. In addition, annual ring width and density were measured. The methods used were Mycologg for testing growth of fungi and a modified version of EN 927-5 to investigate water uptake. For pine, the heartwood showed a lower water uptake and no discoloring fungi growing in the tests. The heartwood had a significantly higher density and smaller annual ring width than the sapwood. In PA the heartwood had significantly lower discoloration than sapwood. The total water uptake in g/m² was significantly higher in sapwood, but not the calculated moisture content. As for wood properties, the density was significantly higher in sapwood compared to heartwood, although there were no differences in annual ring width. Regarding PO, differences in water uptake could be seen between sapwood and heartwood although the densities were similar. These results show that susceptibility to discoloring fungi and water uptake is hard to correlate to a single inherent property when looking at different wood species.     

Variability of wood properties in two wild cherry clonal trials

There has been an increase in wild cherry cultivation over recent decades, revealing a need for improvements in planting material to be used for the production of high quality timber. To date, trial tests have been carried out mainly on growth and tree architectural traits, while no investigations have focused on wood properties. The present study investigated the variability of the growth traits and the physical and mechanical properties of wild cherry wood, both within the tree, within and among clones and between sites. The aims of the study are to provide useful information on the genetics of wood traits in valuable hardwoods and to discuss how within-tree variation can affect early selection of genotypes. The results suggest that site was the most important source of variation in growth traits and in the proportion of heartwood, although differences among clones were highly significant. The number of sapwood rings was very homogeneous both between sites and among clones. Concerning the wood traits, most variation was detected within the tree, rather than within or among clones or between sites. Within tree variability seems to be mainly due to heartwood/sapwood presence. However, since there is a high correlation between heartwood and sapwood properties, a quite efficient selection made on the basis of sapwood should provide an efficient means of selecting heartwood traits.     

柚木种源生长和与材质有关特性的遗传变异及综合评价

对海南岛乐东尖峰岭27年生柚木6个种源的生长及与材质有关特性进行测定与分析,结果表明:种源间树皮厚度、心材宽度、基本密度差异极显著,树高、材积、枝下高、边材宽度差异显著,而胸径、边材年轮数及心材率差异不显著,说明在种源水平上对柚木进行生长和与材质有关特性的改良具有较大的潜力,尤其进行木材生长性状、基本密度和心材宽度的种...     

Application of activable tracers to investigate radial movement of minerals in the stem of Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>)

Two activable tracers, Rb and Eu, were injected into the sapwood of Japanese cedars (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) to investigate the radial movement of minerals in their stems in the resting period. Eight trees of four cultivars, two of which genetically form wet heartwood, were treated near the end of the growing period. At 40 days after the treatment, Rb was detected in the outer heartwood, whereas Eu was not. Radial movement of Rb was more rapid in trees with wet heartwood than in those with normal heartwood. At 204 days after the treatment, more Rb was detected in the heartwood than was found on the first sampling, whereas no Eu was detected in the heartwood. The difference in radial movement between Rb and Eu was considered mainly to be the result of selective transport of beneficial minerals by Japanese cedar. The difference in the rate of radial movement of Rb between wet and normal heartwood became more conspicuous at 204 days after treatment. We concluded that the movement of Rb from the sapwood to the outer heartwood was by active transport through the rays, whereas that in the heartwood was by diffusion due to the gradient of Rb concentration.     

Variation of extractives content in heartwood and sapwood of Eucalyptus globulus trees

The variation in extractives content in sapwood and heartwood was investigated among 12 trees in each of four commercial plantations of Eucalyptus globulus in central Portugal. The study was carried out at the 15% height level and extractions used successively dichloromethane, ethanol and water. At all sites, heartwood had significantly more extractives than sapwood, on average 3.8 and 2.4%, respectively. Most extractives consisted of ethanol soluble material (on average 52% of total extractives). Among the sites, there was a statistically significant difference in the content of extractives but the most important source of variation was the within-tree variation between sapwood and heartwood. Differences in the content of extractives were also observed among trees. A strong relation between extractives content and heartwood proportion was found. The potential loss of pulp yield and problems associated with accumulation of extractives are directly related to the heartwood proportion in the eucalypt stems. Forest management should take into account heartwood development and selection for minimising heartwood extractives.     

柚木石油醚抽提物成分及其对心边材颜色的影响

为探究国产柚木抽提物对心材和边材颜色差异的影响,采用3种沸程的石油醚溶液分别对国产柚木的心材与边材进行抽提处理,利用气相色谱-质谱法分析抽提液的成分和含量,并以差异较大的抽提物溶液处理柚木边材,通过色度学参数表征柚木边材的变色情况,从而验证影响柚木心材和边材颜色的主要抽提物成分。结果表明:在3种沸程的石油醚抽提液中,柚木心材抽提物在成分种类数量和含量上均显著高于边材;不同沸程的石油醚对柚木心、边材中抽提物成分有一定的影响,其中30~60℃(低沸程)和60~90℃(中沸程)石油醚抽提物成分和含量的差异较小,而90~120℃(高沸程)石油醚抽提物的含量较高,约为中、低沸程抽提物含量的2倍;柚木心材抽提液中酚类、醌类、烯烃类物质的含量较多,但这些物质在边材中含量极低;4-叔丁基-2-苯基苯酚、2-甲基蒽醌(柚木醌)、全反式三十碳六烯(角鲨烯)是柚木心、边材抽提物含量差异最明显的物质。经角鲨烯溶液处理后的柚木边材表面颜色变黄,更接近心材颜色,因此,角鲨烯是导致柚木心边材颜色差异的重要抽提物成分。     

Radial movement of sapwood-injected rubidium into heartwood of Japanese cedar (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">japonica</Emphasis>) in the growing period

Rubidium solution was injected in the sapwood of a Japanese cedar cultivar in the growing period, and its radial movement in stem was traced to investigate the accumulation of alkali metals in the heartwood. Sapwood-injected Rb was detected in outer heartwood at 10 days after the treatment, and continued increasing at 20 days after. Radial movement of Rb toward heartwood was considered to occur soon after the treatment, and to decline at a certain point of the time after Rb injection ceased. However, Rb continued moving in heartwood probably by diffusion even after the cease of Rb injection. In a series of injection experiment, radial movement of injected Rb is not corresponding to the seasonality of both cambial activity and cytological changes of ray parenchyma accompanied with heartwood formation. From the results on Rb’s behavior, we conclude that accumulation of K and other alkali metals in heartwood of Japanese cedar has two steps, active transport from sapwood to outer heartwood via ray, and diffusion in heartwood, and that these processes proceed independently from both cambial activity and cytological changes of ray parenchyma.     

Chemical characterization of Pinus halepensis sapwood and heartwood

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the chemical composition of sapwood (SW) and heartwood (HW) of Pinus halepensis Mill stem. Extractives were first isolated by accelerated solvent extraction and then analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cellulosic polysaccharide content present in the pre-extracted wood samples was determined with acid hydrolysis and GC. The hemicelluloses content was determined with acid methanolysis and GC. Free monomers were additionally analysed by GC. The amount of lignin was determined gravimetrically by the Klason lignin method and the acid-soluble lignin was determined by a UV method. Formic and acetic acids in wood were determined after alkaline hydrolysis and analysed by HP-SEC. It was found that lipophilic and hydrophilic extractives were more abundant in heartwood (1.6% and 2.5%) than in sapwood (1.1% and 1.8%). Celluloses content was higher in sapwood (42.5%) than in heartwood (39.7%), whereas lignin, hemicelluloses and sugar monomer contents were more abundant in heartwood (28.9%, 26.8% and 0.3%) than in sapwood (28.0%, 24.5% and 0.2%). The variation in acetic and formic acids and ash contents between sapwood (0.7%, 0.2% and 0.5%) and heartwood (0.6%, 0.1% and 0.4%) was small. The acetylation degrees were found to be slightly similar in sapwood (0.4) and heartwood (0.3).