On the activation energy of diffusion of water in wood

Summary The diffusion equation for water in wood is expanded in terms of temperature and moisture gradient on the assumption that the driving force for the diffusion of water in wood is the partial pressure of water vapour. An analytic expression is then developed for the activation energy of diffusion in terms of enthalpy and entropy changes associated with the sorption process. The expression is compared with another published curve and some similarity was observed.Symbols C water concentration, kg/m³ - D diffusion coefficient for water vapour in wood with vapour pressure as the driving potential, kg/ms Pa - D_c diffusion coefficient for water vapour in wood with water concentration as the driving potential, m²/s - D_c a constant value of D_c, m²/s - E activation energy of diffusion, J/kg - F flow density, kg/m² s - f h/l - h specific enthalpy, J/kg - L l/R T - l latent heat of vapourization of free water, J/kg - l_s latent heat of vapourization of sorbed water, J/kg - p partial pressure of water vapour, Pa - p_s pressure of water vapour at saturation, Pa - R specifc gas constant for water, J/kg K - r relative humidity - s specific entropy, J/kg K - w dry basis moisture content - x length coordinate, m - a constant temperature equal to 6,800 K - -/ln r - _w density of wood (dry mass/moisture volume) at a given moisture content, kg/m³ - s/R - L style as 2 lines above - free water relative to sorbed water The author is grateful to the Editorial Board in relation to the use of (4)     

Changes in the physical and chemical properties of six Japanese softwoods caused by lengthy smoke-heating treatment

The effects of prolonged smoke-heating treatments on wood quality were investigated. Six Japanese softwoods were smoke-heated for 100 and 200h at a temperature of 75° ± 5°C, which was recorded inside the log. After smoke heating, wood quality, including moisture content, amounts of chemical components, relative degree of crystallinity (RDC) of cellulose, and sapwood color were examined. Moisture content decreased as a result of smoke heating, especially in sapwood, leading to a uniform distribution of moisture content within a log. Almost no difference was found in the amounts of chemical components between the control woods and the woods that were smoke-heated for 100h. However, in the wood that was smoke-heated for 200h, the amounts of holocellulose decreased, suggesting that thermal deterioration and/or degradation of hemicelluloses had occurred. We assume that the increase in RDC was caused by smoke heating with the crystallization of cellulose and/or thermal degradation of hemicelluloses. Almost no differences were found in sapwood color between the control woods and the woods that were smoke-heated for 100h. In the wood that was smoke-heated for 200h, however, L*decreased, whereas a* and b* increased. As a result, E*ab, showing the total color change, increased, resulting in a deeper color. These results suggest that thermal degradation of hemicelluloses was caused by smoke heating for over 100h. Therefore, smoke heating of softwood logs using a commercial-scale kiln should not exceed 100h.     

Compressive deformation of wood impregnated with low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin I: effects of pressing pressure and pressure holding

The deformation behavior of low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin-impregnated wood under compression in the radial direction was investigated for obtaining high-strength wood at low pressing pressures. Flat-sawn grain Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) blocks with a density of 0.34g/cm³ were treated with aqueous solution of 20% low molecular weight PF resin resulting in weight gain of 60.8%. Oven-dried specimens were compressed using hot plates fixed to a testing machine. The temperature was 150°C and the pressing speed was 5mm/min. The impregnation of PF resin caused significant softening of the cell walls resulting in collapse at low pressures. The cell wall collapse was strain-dependent and occurred at a strain of 0.05–0.06mm/mm regardless of whether the wood was treated with PF resin. Thus, pressure holding causing creep deformation of the cell walls was also effective in initiating cell wall collapse at low pressure. Utilizing a combination of low molecular weight PF resin impregnation and pressure holding at 2MPa resulted in a density increase of PF resin-treated wood from 0.45 to 1.1g/cm³. At the same time, the Youngs modulus and bending strength increased from 10GPa to 22GPa and 80MPa to 250MPa, respectively. It can be concluded that effective utilization of the collapse region of the cell wall is a desirable method for obtaining high-strength PF resin-impregnated wood at low pressing pressures.     

Zum Auftreten einiger Laus- und Käferarfen an Jungkiefern

Summary Larvae ofErnobius spp. and adults ofBrachyderes incanus were serious pests of shoots ofPinus silvestris andP. contorta at several localities of Rhine valley and near Meppen/Ems.In the same areas aphids(Lachninae) and their predators were very abundant.Protolachnus agilis Kltb. became very harmful on young pines in experiment field cages where predators had been excluded.Pineus sp. was frequent in the field cages and in young pine plantations near Meppen.

---

Résumé En divers endroits de la vallée du Rhin et près de Meppen/Emsland, des larves d'Ernobius spp. et des adultes deBrachydeles incanus furent observés comme étant de sérieux pour les jeunes pousses dePinus silvestris et deP. contorta.Dans les mêmes régions des pucerons(Lachninae) et leurs prédateurs étaient très abondants.Protolachnus agilis Kltb. divint très nuisible aux jeunes pins placés dans des cages expérimentales où les prédateurs avaient été enfermés.Pineus sp. é tait aussi abondant dans cages expérimentales et dans les plantations de jeunes pins près de Meppen.

---

Meppen/Emsland Eronobius spp. Brachyderes incanus, Pinus silvestris P. contorta. (Lachninae) Protolachnus agilis Kltb. , - .Pineus sp. - Meppen.

     

Influence of moisture content on the vibrational properties of hematoxylin-impregnated wood

The vibrational property of hematoxylinimpregnated wood was investigated from the aspect of moisture content dependence. The specific dynamic Young's modulus (E/) and loss tangent (tan) of hematoxylin-impregnated wood were determined in the relative humidity (RH) range of 0%–97%, and were compared with those of the untreated and some conventional chemically treated woods. The changes in theE/ and tan of wood with increasing RH were suppressed by acetylation and formaldehyde treatment because of a marked reduction in the hygroscopicity of the wood. Although the hematoxylin impregnation did not significantly affect the hygroscopicity of the wood, its influence onE/ and tan were similar to that of formaldehyde treatment at low RH and of acetylation at medium RH. It was supposed that at low to medium RH hematoxylin restrains the molecular motion of amorphous substances in the cell wall because of its bulkiness and rigidity. On the other hand, at high RH it seems to work as a plasticizer with adsorbed water molecules.     

Die Massenvermehrung des Hagebuchenspanners,Himera pennaria L., 1962 in Niederösterreich und im Burgenland und die Ursachen des Zusammenbruches der Kalamität

Summary The Outbreak of Himera pennaria L. in 1962, in Lower Austria and Burgenland, and Causes of its break-down.The Hornbeam Measuring Worm,Himera pennaria L., hitherto described but once in forest-entomological literature as a bigscale forest pest, performed mass-attacks in 1962 in the Leitha hills (1500 acres) and Maria-Ellend wood, even clean-eating several hardwood species, especially hornbeam and also oak. The outbreak which occurred about mid-May broke perfectly down as soon as early June. The paper characterizes several bionomical and morphological data obtained during the course of the outbreak from individual development stages, also discussing the possible causes of the outbreak illustrated by climatograms. In conclusion, the biotical factors of the breakdown are treated, pointing out a virus disease (cytoplasmic polyhedrosis of mesenteron) as playing the greatest part. Along withH. pennaria L., alsoHibernia defoliaria L.,Hibernia aurantiaria Esp., andCheimatobia brumata L., as well as 4 species ofNoctuidae and 1 species ofArctiidae occurred rather frequently in the above-mentioned area, especially in the marginal zones of the Hornbeam Measuring Worm's mass-attack.

---

Résumé La gradation de l'Arpenteuse du Charme —Himera pennaria L. — en 1962, en Basse-Autriche et au Burgenland, et les causes de la débâcle de la calamité.L'Arpenteuse du Charme,Himera pennaria L., signalée une seule fois dans la litérature entomologique forestière comme ravageur en masse, s'est manifestée en dimensions calamiteuses en 1962, dans les montagnes du Leitha (600 ha) et au bois de Maria- Ellend, dépouillant — par endroits même de leur feullage eiitier — différentes espèces de bois feuillus, surtout des charmes mais aussi des chênes. La gradation qui s'était manifestée vers la mi-mai, subit une débacle complète dès le début de juin. Le mémoire présente quelques données bionomiques et morphologigues, obtenues au cours de la gradation, sur les différentes phases du développement, tout en discutant à l'aide de climatogrammes quelles pourraient être les causes de la gradation. En conclusion, on traite spécialement les facteurs biotiques de la débâcle, parmi lesquels une maladie à virus (polyédrose cytoplasmique du mésentère) a joué le premier rôle. Em même temps que l'Himera pennaria L., les insectes suivants ont été trouvés dans le territoire en question, le plus fréquemment dans les zones marginales de l'aire de grádation de l'Arpenteuse du Charme:Hibernia defoliaria L.,Hibernia aurantiaria Esp.,Cheimatobia brumata. L., 4 espèces de Noctuides et l espéce d'Arcttides.

---

Himera pennaria L. 1962 . . . . ,Himera pennaria L., -- , 1962 . (600 .) , , . , , . , , , . , ( ). H. Pennaria L. Hiberia defoliaria L., Hibernia aurantiaria Esp., Cheimatobia brumata L., 4 Noctuidade 1 Arctiidae, .

---

---

Herrn Prof. Dr. A. Acatay zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet.

---

Die Untersuchungen erfolgten in Zusammenarbeit mit der Landesforstinspektion für Niederösterreich, speziell mit der Bezirksforstinspektion Wien-Umgebung und der Landesforstinspektion für das Burgenland, wofür an dieser Stelle herzlichst gedankt sei.

---

Für Herstellung der mikroskopischen Präparate sei Frl. H. Meldt, für die Freilandaufnahmen und mikroskopischen Aufnahmen Herrn N. Maisner bzw. Herrn O. Baschny der Forstlichen Bundesversuchsanstalt Mariabrunn, für die Aufnahmen der elektronen-mikroskopischen Präparate Herrn Hayek vom Physikalisch-chemischen Institut der Universität Innsbruck gedankt.     

Applications of the capillary isotherm

The effect of temperature on the capillary isotherm is accounted for in a modified derivation. Some new equilibrium moisture content data for E. regnans are presented and fitted by the capillary isotherm. Some earlier data for Klinki pine are also fitted. It is shown precisely how reductions in the shear modulus of the cell wall material with increasing temperature give rise to reductions in equilibrium moisture content for a given relative humidity.Symbols A G₀/R, K - a₁ external radius of annulus, m - a₂ internal radius of annulus, m - a_f a₂ at fibre saturation, m - a a constant length, m - B a constant of integration - b₁, b₂ temperature parameters, K^1- - G rigidity of wood substance, Pa - G₀ G for dry wood, Pa - G_f G at fibre saturation, Pa - h isosteric heat, J/kg - latent heat, J/kg - p capillary pressure, Pa - P_s pressure of water vapour at saturation, Pa - R specific gas constant for water, J/kg K - r relative humidity - r_i inflection intercept - r_t tangent intercept - T temperature, K - t temperature, °C - X see equation (18) - x see equation (28) - , , ₁, ₁ coefficients, equations (27), (37) - y₁, y₂ see equations (25), (26), K - parameter, equation (9) - parameter, equation (33) - density of water, kg/m³ - _W density of wood substance, kg/m³ - equilibrium moisture content - _0.2 at r = 0.2 - _0.5 at r = 0.5 - _0.9 at r = 0.9 - _f at fibre saturation     

Über Zusammenhänge zwischen Massenvermehrungen vonEvetria buoliana undDiprion sertifer und den Bodensowie Grundwasserverhältnissen

Zusammenfassung Es wird auf Grund von Untersuchungen des Massenauftretens von Primärschädlingen, besondersEvetria buoliana undDiprion sertifer, festgestellt, daß diese von den den Wasserhaushalt der Kiefern beeinflussenden Faktoren weitgehend abhängig sind. Häufig sich wiederholende Massenvermehrungen großen Ausmaßes und großer Bevölkeruligsdichte, die schwere Schäden verursachen, treten auf grundwasserfernen Standorten auf, deren arme Böden nicht in der Lage sind, den Wasserhaushalt der Kiefer dauernd ausreichend zu befriedigen. Je geringer der für die Pflanzen verfügbare Wassergehalt der Böden ist, desto häufiger und schwerer sind die Massenvermehrungen auf der gleichen Örtlichkeit.

---

Summary It has been determined that factors in the water budget influence considerably the occurence of massive insect outbreaks on pine, especially of the primary pestsEvetria buoliana andDiprion sertifer. Recuring outbreaks of greater population density, causing heavy damage, often occur in areal having a deep grand water table, poor soil, and an inadequate water supply. The less water in the soil, available to plants, the more often and more clamaging are the insect outbreaks in the same locality.

---

Résumé Il s'avère suite à des examens de l'apparition en masse de parasites primaires, notamment deEvetria buoliana et deDiprion sertifer, que ceux-ci sont tributaires dans une large mésure des facteurs conditionnant le système aqueux des pins. De fréquentes reproductions en masse sur une grande é chelle et de grande densité de population occasionnant de graves dégats, se produisent à des endroits éloignés d'eaux souterraines, et dont les sols pauvres ne sont pas capables de suffire continuellement an système aqueux des pins. Moins le sol a d'eau disponible pour les plantes, plus les reproductions en masse an même endroit sont fréquentes et graves.

---

Ha , Evetria buoliana Diprion sertifer, , , . . , , , , . , , .

---

---

Herrn Professor Dr. Wilhelm Zwölfer zum 65. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Moisture content-water potential relationship of red pine sapwood above the fiber saturation point and determination of the effective pore size distribution

Summary The pressure membrane and pressure plate techniques were used to establish the moisture content-water potential (M-) relationship of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) sapwood in desorption above the fiber saturation point. The moisture content-water potential relationship is required for the development of a model of drying considering the gradient of water potential as the driving force of moisture in wood. This relationship was established at 18, 56 and 85 °C for radial desorption. The results obtained demonstrate that water potential increases with temperature T at a given moisture content M. There is no significant variation of /T with temperature. Also, there is no plateau at intermediate moisture contents as was the case for the M- relationship of aspen sapwood established in a previous work. The effective integral and differential pore size distributions inferred from the M- relationship are also presented. The largest proportion of effective pore openings was found for a radius of 0.2 m. This value can be related to the pit membrane openings of red pine.This research project is currently supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada under grant no. OGP0121954     

Defining competition vectors in a temperate alley cropping system in the midwestern USA: 2. Competition for water

A study was carried out in an alley cropping system in the Eastern Maize Belt of the United States with the objective of quantifying the competition for water between trees (black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) and red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). Spatial and temporal variation in soil moisture, tree and maize rooting patterns, tree and maize water uptake, and maize leaf area expansion were determined in three treatments; barrier (polyethylene root barriers separating maize and tree roots), trench (trenching without a polyethylene barrier), and no barrier (control). Significant temporal variation in soil moisture was observed in both black walnut and red oak alley cropping systems. The barrier and trench treatments resulted in higher soil moisture in the maize alley and lower soil moisture in the tree row than the no barrier treatment. Uptake of water by maize was higher in the barrier than the no barrier treatment. However, tree water uptake was higher in the no barrier treatment than in the barrier treatment because tree roots utilized water from the maize alley. Maize leaf area was negatively impacted by water stress in the no barrier treatment. Quantification of rooting patterns revealed that maize and tree roots were concentrated in the top 30 cm soil layer where water fluctuations were greatest. The barrier and trench treatments successfully eliminated the belowground root competition between trees and maize and resulted in greater leaf area and higher grain yields than the no barrier treatment. Thus, competition for water rather than competition for light seems to be critical in defining the productivity and sustainability of this alley cropping system.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hinweise zur Auswirkung biophysikalischer Umweltverhältnisse auf forstschädliche Insekten,untersucht insbesondere anLymantria monacha L.

Zusammenfassung Die Zentren des Schadauftretens verschiedener untersuchter forstschädlicher Insekten dürften nach zahlreichen Testungen Reizzonen umfassen, welche wieder als eine Kombination von elektrischen und magnetischen Feldern und durch diese freigelegte Metalleffekte erscheinen. Untersuchungen zur möglichen Wirksamkeit dieser Komponenten auf Vitalität und Fertilität vonLymantria monacha führten zu folgenden Ergebnissen. Es erscheint möglich, daß innerhalb von Reizzonen Sterblichkeit und Fruchtbarkeit vonLymantria monacha auch von niederfrequenten elektromagnetischen oder auch konstanten magnetischen oder elektrostatischen Feldern beeinflußt werden, die direkt oder auch über die Pflanze auf die Lebenskraft der Nonne von Wirksamkeit sind. Reizzonenbereich und Normalbereich zeigten hinsichtlich der Mortalität der Versuchstiere gegensätzliche Verhältnisse. Die Anfangsmortalität innerhalb von Reizzonen war gegenüber jener der Zuchten im Normalbereich erniedrigt, die Endmortalität vielfach erhöht. Futter aus Normalbereichen setzte in den Reizzonen, Reizzonenfutter im Normalbereich die Sterblichkeit herab und erhöhte im Normalbereich die Fruchtbarkeit. Im Normalbereich mit Normalfutter gezogene Nonnen wiesen die geringsten Zahlen an abgelegten Eiern auf, was sich besonders bei an Pflanzen eingebeutelten Tieren deutlich zeigte. Die wesentlich höhere Fruchtbarkeit von Nonnen an Pflanzen im Reizzonenbereich mag zusammen mit der hier erniedrigten Anfangsmortalität eine Erklärung zum gehäuften Auftreten vonLymantria monacha innerhalb von Reizzonen geben. Freigesetzte Metalleffekte könnten innerhalb von Reizzonen die Sterblichkeit aber auch die Fruchtbarkeit erhöhen.

---

Summary The centres of damages by different forest insects, examined in this research, seem to be in zones of Earth radiations (Reizzonen), which again seem to be combinations of magnetic or electric fields and metal effects, set free by them. Examinations for possible influences of these components on vitality and fecundity ofLymantria monacha showed the following results: It seems possible, that inside of zones of earth radiations mortality and fecundity of this butterfly could be directed from magnetic or electric fields also of low frequency or electrostatic, which either directly or indirectly by the nutrients (plants) influence the vital power ofLymantria monacha. Zones of Earth radiations and normal zones showed different conditions in respect of the mortality. Mortality of larvae of first developmental stages inside of zones of Earth radiations was decreased, such of late stages increased contrary to larvae in normal zones. Plant-food of normal zones decreased the mortality of larvae in zones of Earth radiations and food of zones of Earth radiations decreased the mortality of those of normal zones and increased fecundity in the latter cases. Female butterflies reared in normal zones showed the lowest number of developed eggs, especially when reared encaged on living plants (spruce). The essentially higher fecundity ofLymantria monacha reared on plants inside of zones of Earth radiations together with the decreased mortality of first instar larvae there, may give an explantation for the increased population ofLymantria monacha inside of zones of Earth radiations. Metal effects set free inside of zones of Earth radiations could increase there the mortality but also the fecundity.

---

---

Herrn Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. ERWIN SCHIMITSCHEK zum 75. Geburtstag.

---

A 1130 Wien XIII, Fasangasse 5-7, 1/8     

Stress-strain state of wood at kiln drying

Summary A model has been suggested which allows the calculation of stresses arising in kiln drying and humidification of wood, as well as the total residual strain, i.e. set strain _s, consisting of purely residual strain _r and the so-called frozen strain _f. Frozen strains arise under the operating influence of loading when the stiffness is increased because of a decrease in moisture content (or temperature) of the wood. The process of formation of set strains _s has been shown to depend on the history of loading, variations of the moisture content of the wood, as well as cooling of the section before the measurement of _s. The possibility of using set strain as a parameter of the state of stress of wood in kiln drying has been noted.Presented at the VIII. International Symposium on Fundamental Research of Wood. Warsaw, Poland, October 1990     

The thermodynamics of sorption with reference to klinki pine

Summary An investigation into the bonding energy relationships for water in wood indicates that as the temperature increases at constant total moisture content, water moves from within the chemical structure to the adsorption surface. The analysis is evaluated for the wood Araucaria klinkii Lauterb and it is indicated that at 25 °C, less water is held in the chemical structure during adsorption than during desorption.Symbols A amplitude of liquid surface profile - A₀ amplitude of solid surface profile - a mean radius of curvature of liquid surface (bubble radius), Å - a₀ mean radius of curvature of solid surface, Å - a_c a constant value of a, Å - F a function of temperature - f capisorption energy fraction - G a function of - g specific Gibbs free energy of saturated water vapour relative to unsaturated water vapour at the same temperature, J/kg - g_c specific Gibbs free energy associated with capisorption, J/kg - g_p specific Gibbs free energy associated with physisorption, J/kg - h change in specific enthalpy of liquid water as it is desorbed, J/kg - l latent heat of vaporisation of free water, J/kg - m wave number/m - p_s pressure of water vapour at saturation, Pa - R specific gas constant for water vapour, J/kg K - r relative humidity - s change in specific entropy of liquid water as it is desorbed, J/kg K - T temperature, K - w dry basis moisture content - x ln p_s/p_s25 - y In r - z length coordinate, m - , , constant coefficients - change in mean height of liquid surface, Å - ₀ a constant length, Å - constant - distance from solid to liquid vapour interface measured normal to solid surface, Å - ₀ a constant value of , Å     

Dimensional instability of cement bonded particleboard: Modelling CBPB as a composite of two materials

Previous papers have quantitatively indicated that the total movement of cement bonded particleboard (CBPB) is equal to the sum of the movement of its components. This paper examined the efficacy of the law of mixtures when applied to the movement of a wood-cement composite under internal swelling or shrinkage stresses. Abundant data generated in companion papers were first manipulated to develop the universal formulae for predicting the movement of components. In conjunction with previous numerical results from image analysis of the structure of CBPB, and the orientated elasticity and stress algorithms, the models for theoretically predicting mass and dimensional changes of CBPB were derived. Validation studies were conducted and these demonstrated an excellent agreement of the theoretical predictions with experimental data for both mass and dimensional changes of CBPB due to internal swelling or shrinkage stresses during adsorption and desorption. The success also implied that CBPB can be treated as a composite and its properties can be well derived by the law of mixtures even though CBPB is an unusual type of composite having a very high volume fraction of wood chips, but a very high mass fraction of cement paste.Notation E_RT Mean transverse modulus of elasticity of wood - E_L Longitudinal modulus of elasticity of wood - E_p Modulus of elasticity of cement paste - E_wa Modulus of elasticity of embedded wood chips at angle - E Modulus of elasticity of wood chips at direction - E Modulus of elasticity of wood chips at direction - G_LRT Mean transverse shear modulus of wood - L(T)_cp Length/width (thickness) change of CBPB at angle - L(T)_p Length (thickness) change of cement paste - m_pf Mass fraction of cement paste in unit mass of CBPB - m_wf Mass fraction of wood chips in unit mass of CBPB - M_cpj Mass change of CBPB at the various conditions tested - M_pj Mass change of cement paste at corresponding conditions - M_wj Mass change of wood chips at corresponding conditions - M(L; T)_w/P Mass, length or thickness changes of wood chips or cement paste at various conditions - t Duration of exposure - _LRT Mean transverse Poissons ratio of wood - V_pf Volume fraction of cement paste in unit mass of CBPB - V_wf Volume fraction of wood chip in unit mass of CBPB - _cp Density of CBPB - _k Density of wood chip or cement paste - _cp Overall stresses of CBPB at angle - _L Stress in the longitudinal direction of wood - _RT Mean stress in the transverse direction of wood - _p Stress of cement paste - _w Stress of the wood chips at angle - Stress of the wood chips at direction - Stress of the chip at direction - _cp Strain in CBPB - _p Strain of cement paste - _WL Strain in the length of wood chips - _WT Strain in the thickness of wood chips - _w Strain in wood chips - Angle between the longitudinal direction of wood chips and surfaces or edges of CBPB - Angle between wood chips and edges (length direction) of CBPB - Angle between wood chip and vertical coordinate - A, B, C Coefficients related to the feature of materials and exposure conditions The senior author wishes to thank Professor W.B. Banks of University of Wales, Bangor for his constructive discussions and assistance and the British Council for partly financial support.     

Stock quality and field performance of Pinus patula seedlings produced under two nursery growing regimes during seven different nursery production periods

Two types of containerized P. patula seedlings, referred to as hard and soft seedlings, were raised by droughting and different fertilizer applications. Hard seedlings were raised by applying half the water and a quarter of the fertilizer (0.01 g per seedling 21%N:7.1%P:14.2%K) applied to the soft seedlings. At the end of the nursery cultural treatments the two types of seedlings were morphologically distinct. Hard seedlings had lower heights, height to root collar diameter ratios and seedling dry masses than soft seedlings, but mortality was similar for both seedling types when planted during seven different production periods within the planting season on three sites which differed climatically and geologically. Correlations between mortality and height to root collar diameter ratio (r = 0.76), root to shoot ratio (r = 0.83) and root growth potential (r = --0.69) were obtained indicating that grading of seedlings on these parameters may improve survival. However, it was evident that survival could be significantly improved by identifying the best time of year and conditions for planting, as well as improving stock quality.     

Dependence of reaction kinetics and physical and mechanical properties on the reaction systems of acetylation II: physical and mechanical properties

Acetylation of wood was carried out in acetic anhydride only, acetic anhydride/xylene 1:1 (v/v), and acetic anhydride/pyridine 4:1 (v/v) solutions. The antishrink efficiency (ASE), hygroscopic properties, vibrational properties, and bending strength were compared among the three reaction solutions. The ASE was a simple function of weight gain (WG); the equilibrium moisture content at a given WG differed among the reaction solutions. Based on this fact and the results of repeated water soaking and oven-drying tests, it was found that the bulking effect was a major factor, and that decreased hygroscopicity contributes only slightly to the dimensional stabilization by acetylation. The difference in equilibrium moisture content among reaction solutions appears more significant in block samples than wood meal, probably due to the fiber-to-fiber bonds in the former. The tendencies for change in the specific Youngs modulus and the loss tangent differed among reaction solutions, whereas in the static bending test the difference was not marked.Part of this report was represented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002     

Dielectric properties of hardwood species at microwave frequencies

Dielectric measurements at 9.8GHz and 2.45GHz were made for the three hardwoods Euramerican hybrid poplar, alder, and oriental beech. The method used was based on Von Hippels transmission line method. The measurements were carried out at room temperature of 20°–24°C. The dielectric properties of the wood species were determined for the three principal structural directions at six different moisture conditions, covering the range of 0% to 28% moisture content. Results indicated that the behavior of all wood species studied is quantitatively similar. In general, the dielectric properties increase within the range studied with rising moisture content. The grain direction of the wood also plays a significant role.     

Sensory evaluation of carpet cleaner containing essential oil and the effect on mites

We prepared carpet cleaners containing three wood oils extracted from Thujopsis dolabrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino, Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl., and Chamaecyparis taiwanensis Masamune et Suzuki and studied their effects on mites and perfumerists' impressions. The oil concentrations were set at 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6%. The effects on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart were investigated. The sensory evaluations were conducted by seven male perfumerists using the SD method and they were asked to describe freely their impressions of the scents. These results showed that: (1) all three types of wood oil had a significant effect on making D. pteronyssinus inactive at 0.1% concentration; and (2) the wood oil of T. dolabrata evoked refreshing, natural, rich, and intellectual feelings; C. obtusa oil evoked vivacious, rich, and intellectual feelings; and C. taiwanensis evoked refreshing, natural, rich, rough, masculine feelings. According to the test subjects, T. dolabrata evoked woody and earthy impressions; C. obtusa evoked woody, citrus, and pine-resin impressions; and C. taiwanensis evoked woody, citrus, and medical impressions. Many issues remain to be investigated, but the inclusion of wood oil in carpet cleaners offered both good mite control and a pleasant aroma to humans. This study suggests a new potential for using these wood oils.     

Dormancy induction in container-grown Abies seedlings: Effects of environmental cues and seedling age

Twelve-week-old container-grown seedlings of noble fir (Abies procera Rehd.) and Shasta red fir (A. magnifica A. Murr. var. shastensis Lemm.), both high-elevation species, were grown under controlled environments in a study of induction of terminal-bud dormancy. Eight treatment combinations of long (15 h) or short (11 h) photoperiods, warm (25°/20°C) or cool (18°/12°C) thermoperiods, and dry (–1.2 MPa) or wet (–0.6 MPa) moisture regimes were imposed upon seedlings for 12 weeks. Treatment factors significantly affecting the induction of dormancy in terminal buds of seedlings were identified over time. The results suggest that seedlings responded dynamically to dormancy cues. The warm/dry and cool/wet combinations induced dormancy in the first 2 weeks in noble fir and in the first week in Shasta red fir. Short-day/warm and long-day/cool combinations enhanced dormancy induction in weeks 3 to 4 in noble fir and in weeks 1 to 7 in Shasta red fir. Short days and cool thermoperiods independently hastened dormancy induction in noble fir in weeks 5 through 12.     

Non-steady state water adsorption of wood

Summary The validity of the following equation of water adsorption into wood substance which was derived in the previous report, is examined: d(W)/dt = k₀(1 – exp(-k₁/t))W(l – W), which can approximately be written as: d(W)/d(logt) = rW(l – W), where W is moisture content; t is time (t > 0); k₀, k₁ and r are constants. After measuring dimensional change with change in time under various relative humidities, the change of moisture content was indirectly calculated from the proportional relationship between dimensional change and moisture content. It was found that the theoretical equation satisfactorily agreed with the experimental results. These results lead to the conclusion that the equation was valid. Furthermore, the properties of the equation, whose constants are determined from experimental results, is discussed. The rate of water adsorption of wood shows interesting and systematical properties, especially near relative humidities corresponding to the fiber-saturation point.