Rectangularity of planed Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) planks

Abstract

This study deals with how warp affects the cross-sectional shape of planed planks. A total of 20 planks with dry target cross-sectional dimensions of 50×150 mm were planed to 45×145 mm. The rectangularity of five cross sections of every plank was measured before and after planing. The cutting depths were measured in 10 positions in the cross sections, and the angles between the planks and the cutters were calculated. Also, the warp, that is, twist, bow, crook, and cup, was measured before and after planing. All the studied properties pointed in the same direction. In terms of both rectangularity and angles of cut, the problems were larger in the top and butt ends of the investigated planks than in the intermediate parts, and the main reason for deviations from the desired result after planing was twist.     

Induction of discolored wood in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Induction of discolored wood in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees by treatment with ethylene, carbon dioxide, nitrogen (hypoxia) or wounding from early April to late September was investigated. All treatments induced formation of discolored wood upward and downward from the drill hole. The amount of discolored wood formed above the drill hole depended on the treatment in the following order: ethylene > carbon dioxide = nitrogen > wounding; and below the drill hole in the order: ethylene > carbon dioxide = nitrogen = wounding. Based on chemical analyses (HPLC/UV, GS/MS, LC/MS and 1H-NMR), discolored wood induced by wounding or treatment with ethylene or carbon dioxide showed compositional similarities to natural heartwood, whereas discolored wood induced by nitrogen treatment showed fewer similarities to natural heartwood. The results suggest that ethylene is an important factor controlling heartwood formation, although wounding and internal concentrations of carbon dioxide may also play a role.     

Elastic strain at semi-isostatic compression of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Quarter-sawn and plain-sawn specimens of Scots pine were semi-isostatically compressed at 5, 15, 50, and 140 MPa in a Quintus press. Elastic strain was measured using a telescope device that was pushed together when wood was compressed and remained in this position at release of pressure. Delayed elastic and plastic strains were assessed through repeated callipering during 5 years after densification. At 140 MPa, wood reached an almost compact structure (ρ ≈ 1450 kg/m³) but as a result of elastic springback the density decreased to just below 1000 kg/m³. At 140 MPa, the elastic and delayed elastic strains were 14.6% and 1.8%, respectively, in quarter-sawn specimens, and were 13.1% and 0.8%, respectively, in plain-sawn specimens. The higher elastic strains in quarter-sawn specimens can be attributed to elastic springback in the tangentially deformed latewood bands.     

Neutral lipids and phospholipids in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) sapwood and heartwood

Variations in the concentration and composition of triacylglycerols, free fatty acids and phospholipids were analyzed in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees at five sites. Disks were taken at breast height or at a height of 4 m from the stems of 81 trees differing in diameter and growth rate. The mean concentration of triacylglycerols in sapwood was 26 mg g(-1) dry mass; however, variation among trees was large (16-51 mg g(dm)(-1)). The concentration of triacylglycerols was slightly larger at 4 m height in the stem than at breast height. Concentrations of triacylglycerols did not differ between the sapwood of young and small-diameter stems (DBH < 12 cm) and the sapwood of old stems (DBH > 36 cm). Concentrations of free fatty acids were negligible in the outer sapwood, but ranged between 5 and 18 mg g(dm)(-1) in the heartwood. The most abundant fatty acids of triacylglycerols were oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2omega6, 18:2Delta5,9), linolenic (pinolenic, 18:3Delta5,9,12 and 18:3omega3) and eicosatrienoic acid (20:3Delta5,11,14 and 20:3omega6). The concentration of linoleic acid comprised 39-46% of the triacylglycerol fatty acids and the concentration was higher in the slow-growing stem from northern Finland than in the stems from southern Finland. Major phospholipids were detected only in sapwood, and only traces of lipid phosphorus were detected in heartwood.     

Regulation of organic and inorganic nitrogen uptake in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings

Plants possess regulatory mechanisms that enhance nitrogen (N) uptake under conditions of spatial and temporal variation in N availability. Study of regulatory mechanisms has focused almost exclusively on the uptake of inorganic N sources (i.e., ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3-). Several lines of evidence, however, suggest that amino acids may constitute a potential source of N for a number of plant species, including conifers. In the present study, we investigated the uptake of amino acids and inorganic N in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings grown at different N concentrations. We compared the uptake rate of the individual N sources using U-[13C2], [15N]-glycine, U-[13C6], [15N4]-arginine, 15NH4, or 15NO3, and tested the short-term effect of N supply on the uptake rate of glycine, arginine and in field-grown Scots pine seedlings. Our data indicate that Scots pine seedlings can absorb substantial amounts of N in the form of intact arginine and glycine molecules. The data also suggest that Scots pine seedlings down-regulate their uptake of NH4+-N and arginine-N, but not of glycine-N in response to increased endogenous N concentrations.     

The influence of pine twist rust (Melampsora pinitorqua) on growth and development of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

The influence of pine twist must (Alelampsora pinitorqsat) on growth and development of Scots pine was studied during three consecutive years. The experimental material included three provenances from natural stands and one open pollinated seed orchrd progeny. Trees severely affected by pine twist must reached an average of 38% lower height than did not-affected trees. while mildly affected trees grew somewhat better, on the average, than did non-affected trees. Pine twist must caused tha greatest loss of height increment in the seed orchard progeny.     

Probability models for pine twisting rust (Melampsora pinitorqua) damage in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands in Finland

Factors affecting the probability that pine twisting rust (Melampsora pinitorqua) damage occur in a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stand were analysed using the 7th Finnish National Forest Inventory data (NFI7) from southern Finland in 1977–1983. The inventory was based on systematic sampling. The NFI7 data was measured in clusters, each of which consisted of 21 sample plots. In addition to the stand and site characteristics measured for forest management planning purposes, the data included records of damage by pine twisting rust and occurrence of aspens (Populus tremula, the other host plant of the pathogen) in the stands. Two multilevel logit models were developed for predicting the overall probability of pine twisting rust damage and the probability of severe pine twisting rust damage. Site and stand characteristics were used as explanatory variables in the models. Residual variance in the models was studied on the inventory crew, cluster and year levels. The occurrence of aspens and site fertility were the most important factors increasing the probability that pine twisting rust damage will occur in a stand. The damage probability also decreased with increasing effective temperature sum calculated for the location. The overall damage probability was equally high on peatlands and on mineral soil if there were aspens in the stand. If, however, there were no aspens in the stand, the probability of damage was higher on mineral soils than on peatlands. In addition, the overall probability was lower in naturally regenerated stands than in planted or sown stands, and it decreased with increasing mean age of pines. In both models, the residual variance was significant on the both the inventory crew and the cluster levels.     

Anatomical-based defense responses of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stems to two fungal pathogens

We investigated the cellular responses of stem tissues of mature Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees to inoculations with two fungal pathogens. The bark beetle vectored fungus, Leptographium wingfieldii Morelet, induced longer lesions in the bark, stronger swelling of polyphenolic parenchyma cells, more polyphenol accumulation and increased ray parenchyma activity compared with the root rot fungus, Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref., or mechanical wounding. Axial resin ducts in the xylem are a general feature of the preformed defenses of Scots pine, but there was no clear induction of additional traumatic axial resin ducts in response to wounding or fungal infection. The anatomical responses of Scots pine to pathogen infection were localized to the infection site and were attenuated away from bark lesions. The responses observed in Scots pine were compared with published studies on Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) for which anatomically based defense responses have been well characterized.     

Estimating foliage biomass in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) plots

Dynamic decomposition models are needed to estimate changes in the carbon stock of boreal soil because these changes are difficult to measure directly. An important aboveground carbon flux to the soil is foliage litterfall. To estimate this flux, both the amount and the turnover rate of the foliage biomass component must be known. Several methods for estimating foliage biomass of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), including biomass equations and biomass expansion factors (BEFs), were compared with predicted foliage biomass based on forest inventory plot-level measurements. Measured foliage biomass was up-scaled from the branch-level to the plot-level by combining forest inventory variables (diameter, height, height at the crown base and crown base diameter) based on the assumptions of pipe model theory. Combining the foliage biomass: cross-sectional area ratio with the forest inventory variables provided accurate estimates of foliage biomass at the plot-level for plots in southern Finland. The results emphasize the need to test biomass equations with independent data, especially when the equations applied are based on neighboring regions.     

Estimating sapling vitality for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Russian Karelia

A new method is proposed for estimating vitality or growth potential for saplings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), based on height, diameter and height increment. A two-stage process was used to establish the vitality index. The logarithms of height, diameter and height increment were regressed against age, to adjust for the wide range of ages present in our data (c. 10,000 saplings with ages spanning 4–50 years). Then principal component analysis was used to obtain coefficients, which were, in turn, standardized on each axis to provide a vitality index scaled in standard deviations. This standardized scale allows the rank of an individual in the population to be assessed, and draws attention to possible outliers. The use of age-adjusted residuals ensured that the estimator was independent of age, and stable over a wide age range. The first principal component indicates if a sapling is relatively tall (weight = 0.5), thick (w = 0.5) or fast-growing (w = 0.7) for its age. Most of the information is contained in the first principal component, but the second component, which explains about 10% of the variance, appears to offer some utility as an indicator of ‘acceleration’ due to changing conditions. The resulting measures of vitality have been useful for research and management in the dry lichen-moss pine forest in Russian Karelia, but are specific to this species, locality and ecotype. Further research and site-specific data are necessary to adapt the system to other situations.     

Development and transferability of two multiplexes nSSR in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Single sequence repeat(SSR) multiplexing is a semi high-throughput PCR methodology for the analysis of multiple SSRs.We developed two SSR multiplexes selected from SSR loci previously reported in the pine literature and tested the transferability of both SSR multiplexes in nine other pine species.We tested 234 nuclear SSR loci(n SSRs) previously described in the pine literature and selected ten n SSRs following the simple criteria of interpretability and reproducibility.Selected nuclear loci were divided into two n SSRs multiplex sets and their amplification was optimized for three different multiplex PCR methods based on:(a) a custom PCR protocol,(b) a custom protocol with hotstart taq polymerase,and(c) a commercially available kit for SSR multiplexing.To validate their performance,the level of genetic diversity was assessed in three Scots pine natural populations(Hungary,northern Sweden and southern Sweden).In addition,we also tested the transferability of these multiplexes in nine other pine species.We have developed two n SSRs multiplexes of five loci each that will contribute to reduce the costs of n SSR scoring,while increasing the capacity of n SSR loci analysis.Amplification was successful in all three populations(94 % success) and the level of polymorphism(7.1 alleles/marker) was similar to that previously reported for other Scots pine natural populations.Transferability of both multiplexes was successful for those pine species closely related to Scots pine.     

Simulated effects of browsing on the production and economic values of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands

Effects of browsing damage on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) production and economic value were simulated on sites ranging in fertility from relatively poor to relatively high. Effects of browsing damage on growth and survival after trees had exceeded browsing-height were estimated using data from a browsing study. Stem lists were produced when stems had reached a height of about 4?m. Individual tree data were then imported into the Heureka simulation system to generate predictions about stand production and economic value. Six browsing levels were simulated: 0, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 27% browsing damage annually. The 2% and 5% browsing levels had only minor effects on production, whilst higher browsing levels significantly reduced production. However, the effect on economic value was more pronounced and even the 2% browsing level had significant effects on estimated land expectation values. Results from this simulation may support discussions about acceptable browsing levels in young Scots pine stands.     

Influence of high-temperature convective flow on viability of Scots pine needles(Pinus sylvestris L.)

During a forest fire, plants are affected by high temperatures causing stress. At the time of burning, it is difficult to record temperature changes in tree crowns and the associated effects on photosynthesis. This paper presents the results of modelling a high-temperature effect simulating a convective flow from a ground fire. Evaluation of the response was carried out by the parameters of rapid fluorescence(Fv/Fm, ETR), the state of the pigment complex, and the relative water content in the needles. To characterize the degree of heat endurance and short-term effects concerning thermal damage, saplings of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.) were used at different times during the growing season(June, July, August, September). Experimental heating at 55 ℃ lasted for 5 and 10 min. There were different levels of heat resistance by the needles. Data in June show that heating of the saplings significantly suppressed photosynthesis. In July, August, and September, the photochemical quantum yield(Fv/Fm) was restored to 75% and 60% from the initial level after 5-and 10-min heating, respectively. The electron transport rate(ETR) for saplings in September was restored to their initial level within 3 days after a short heat exposure.Restoration of the photosynthetic activity in needles was observed after a 5-min impact, but by the end of the study period, restoration had not reached control values. A longer heating of 10 min resulted in an irreversible suppression of photosynthesis and destruction of the photosynthetic apparatus, as evidenced by the decrease in the number of photosynthetic pigments.     

Effects of season,needle age and elevated atmospheric CO(2) on photosynthesis in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Five-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings were grown in open-top chambers at ambient and elevated (ambient + 400 &mgr;mol mol(-1)) CO(2) concentrations. Net photosynthesis (A), specific leaf area (SLA) and concentrations of nitrogen (N), carbon (C), soluble sugars, starch and chlorophyll were measured in current-year and 1-year-old needles during the second year of CO(2) enrichment. The elevated CO(2) treatment stimulated photosynthetic rates when measured at the growth CO(2) concentration, but decreased photosynthetic capacity compared with the ambient CO(2) treatment. Acclimation to elevated CO(2) involved decreases in carboxylation efficiency and RuBP regeneration capacity. Compared with the ambient CO(2) treatment, elevated CO(2) reduced light-saturated photosynthesis (when measured at 350 &mgr;mol mol(-1) in both treatments) by 18 and 23% (averaged over the growing season) in current-year and 1-year-old needles, respectively. We observed significant interactive effects of CO(2) treatment, needle age and time during the growing season on photosynthesis. Large seasonal variations in photosynthetic parameters were attributed to changes in needle chemistry, needle structure and feedbacks governed by whole-plant growth dynamics. Down-regulation of photosynthesis was probably a result of reduced N concentration on an area basis, although a downward shift in the relationship between photosynthetic parameters and N was also observed.     

Modelling mortality of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantations in the northwest of Spain

Mortality is an important element of growth and yield models, especially if only low intensity silvicultural treatments are carried out. The objective of the present study was to develop a model for predicting tree number decline in planted even-aged stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Galicia (northwestern Spain). The model was constructed using data from two inventories of a trial network involving 68 permanent plots located in unthinned stands, or stands thinned lightly from below. Two alternatives were tested. In one alternative, a two-step modelling strategy was applied. First, a binary response function predicting the survival probability of all the trees in the stand was constructed, and an equation for reduction in tree number was developed, using only data where death had occurred over the period analyzed. Three different approaches were then used to compare the application of the above-mentioned functions together. In the other alternative, a mortality function for directly predicting the reduction in tree number was fitted, including all plots (with and without occurrence of mortality). Both alternatives provided similar results, showed logical behavior, and performed satisfactorily in evaluation tests. However, in choosing the best strategy for inclusion in a stand-level simulator, the use of the second alternative is recommended because it possesses the path invariance property required in a mortality model.     

Large-scale genetic structure and drought-induced effects on European Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings

Seedlings of ten provenances of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from the southwestern to the central part of the species distribution range were investigated in a greenhouse experiment under dry conditions compared to a well-watered control. We conducted an isozyme study and recorded phenology as well as growth traits during the first year of growth. Genetic variability and genetic diversity increased from the westernmost provenances to those central to the distribution. Provenances from the Apennines and Spain revealed the strongest genetic differentiation compared to all others, whereas populations from Germany, Poland and Bulgaria were found to belong to the same gene pool. Seedling development and bud set were faster in northern populations. Shoot length was highest for Polish and German provenances within both regimes, populations from France and Spain had the longest roots. Reduced soil moisture slowed later development stages and delayed bud set for all provenances by about 5 days. Shoot growth decreased considerably under the dry regime for all provenances. German provenances were the most sensitive to drought, whereas Spanish provenances showed adaptation to drought conditions indicated by the lowest reduction in shoot growth relative to optimum conditions. The results of this pilot study show that under more pronounced drought conditions with repeated drought events, the so far established superiority of northeastern provenances compared to southwestern ones could diminish in the future.     

Air-coupled ultrasound and electrical impedance analyses of normally dried and thermally modified Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Wood is graded according to strength in various applications. The ultimate strength can only be determined by breaking the specimen, and thus other characteristics like density and modulus of elasticity (MOE) are used for estimation of the strength. In this study, the properties of normally dried and thermally modified Scots pine were studied using electrical impedance and air-coupled ultrasound (ACU) methods. Density, hardness, MOE and strength were analysed and compared with the electrical and ultrasonic responses. The measurements were conducted in stable laboratory conditions with well equilibrated samples and the moisture content was not determined. Both the ultrasonic and electrical parameters correlated with the density and mechanical properties. Using multivariate analysis, density could be estimated with accuracy of 21 kg/m³ (SD) for normally dried timber and 13 kg/m³ (SD) for thermally modified timber (TMT; N = 15). MOE could be estimated with accuracy of 0.7 kN/mm² (SD) for normally dried timber and 1 kN/mm² (SD) for TMT (N = 14). According to the study, electrical impedance spectroscopy combined with ACU measured across the grain is a potential non-destructive technique for the strength estimation of wood.     

Persisting soil drought reduces leaf specific conductivity in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens)

Leaf specific conductivity (LSC; the ratio of stem conductivity (K(P)) to leaf area (A(L))), a measure of the hydraulic capacity of the stem to supply leaves with water, varies with soil water content. Empirical evidence for LSC responses to drought is ambiguous, because previously published results were subject to many confounding factors. We tested how LSC of similar-sized trees of the same population, under similar climatic conditions, responds to persistently wet or dry soil. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) trees were compared between a dry site and a wet site in the Valais, an inner alpine valley in Switzerland. Soil water strongly influenced A(L) and K(P) and the plant components affecting K(P), such as conduit radius, conduit density and functional sapwood area. Trees at the dry site had lower LSC than trees with the same stem diameter at the wet site. Low LSC in trees at the dry site was associated with a smaller functional sapwood area and narrower conduits, resulting in a stronger reduction in K(P) than in A(L). These observations support the hypothesis that trees maintain a homeostatic water pressure gradient. An alternative hypothesis is that relatively high investments in leaves compared with sapwood contribute to carbon gain over an entire season by enabling rapid whole-plant photosynthesis during periods of high water availability (e.g., in spring, after rain events and during morning hours when leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit is small). Dynamic data and a hydraulic plant growth model are needed to test how investments in leaves versus sapwood and roots contribute to transpiration and to maximizing carbon gain throughout entire growth seasons.