Effects of high drying temperatures and restraint on twist of larch (Larix)

During drying, timber changes its shape, mainly as a result of specific properties such as shrinkage anisotropy, radial differences in longitudinal shrinkage and spiral grain. The distortion, causing severe downgrading, can be reduced by restraining the timber and by using special drying schemes. The research described here is related to a project on the improvement of shape stability of Norway spruce. In the present part, different larch species from three stands were dried at high temperatures (80, 120 and 170°C). The effects of restraint during presteaming, drying and steaming on short-term twist reduction were investigated. The permanency of drying distortions was investigated in subsequent moisture cycling. Results showed a clear dependency of twist on the distance to pith. Restrained specimens sawn close to pith experienced reduced twist. This twist reduction was permanent during subsequent moisture variations. Drying temperature did not significantly influence twist and twist amplitude in moisture cycling.     

Evaluation of the fire endurance of mechanically graded timber in bending

AbstractThis study examined the performance of mechanically graded timber in bending when exposed to fire at various load ratios. The test specimens were 150 pieces, each with the dimensions of 60 × 120 × 3500mm. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 150 specimens was measured, and 60 among them were selected to formulate the prediction equation for MOE and modulus of rupture (MOR), which was used to predict the remaining 90 specimens. These were tested under fire exposure in bending using three-point loading at 11.1%, 16.7%, 33.3%, 66.7%, and 83.3% of the ultimate load. Using mechanically graded timber, which means acknowledging the actual strength of the bending member, permits fairly precise application to the targeted design load. This research confirmed that mechanically graded timber under fire exposure has the following tendencies: under the same load ratio, time to failure is independent of strength class, and, at any load ratio, the critical strength is dependent on the timber strength class. The obtained design bending strength under fire exposure using the reduced cross section method and the reduced strength method conformed to those calculated based on Eurocode 5. Following those findings, mechanically graded timber can be applied to obtain the design bending strength when taking into account the fire attack.     

竹材热压干燥过程中的水分扩散研究

采用非稳态法测定龙竹竹材热压干燥过程中的水分扩散系数,并探讨了温度对水分扩散系数的影响.结果表明:干燥温度越高,干燥各阶段水分扩散系数及平均水分扩散系数也越大;初始高含水率阶段,随含水率逐渐降低,水分扩散系数呈逐步增加趋势,在纤维饱和点附近时达最大值;随后,随含水率逐渐降低呈逐步减少趋势.     

Experiences of a Forest Owners’ Cooperative in using FSC forest certification as an environmental strategy

Yusuhara Forest Owners’ Cooperative (YFOC) in Kochi Prefecture in Japan received its forest management certification from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in 2000. YFOC is recognised as the resource manager of its members’ forests, and they were the first organisation to gain such certification in Japan. With the continuous efforts of selling FSC certified wood in the domestic housing construction market, YFOC has substantially increased their timber sales in recent years. It is a noteworthy event in Japanese small-scale forestry, which has been struggling with declining economic performance for many years. This paper analyses the detail of forestry activities and changes which occurred in YFOC after certification by FSC. An interesting effect of increasing economic performance is found to have come from an unexpected direction. It is concluded that the FSC certification system is a possible tool to revitalise Japanese small-scale forestry as well as obtain favourable environmental outcomes.     

Leaf-water potential and soil-water depletion of walnut mulched with polyethylene and intercropped with alfalfa in Central Italy

In Italy, new agroforestry cultural models could play an important role in the diffusion of plantation forestry timber species. We studied the stem growth rates and leaf water potentials () of common walnut (Juglans regia L.), and gravimetric soil moisture (_DW) depletion during the third and fourth growing seasons in an agroforestry trial in central Italy. Since the establishment of experimental plots in 1992, walnut was intercropped with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), with or without polyethylene (PE) mulching along tree rows. By the end of the study period, the unmulched-intercropped walnut was almost 68% smaller in stem diameter and height than the sole-unmulched control, demonstrating walnuts sensitivity to alfalfa competition. The competitive effect of alfalfa on walnut stem growth was effectively controlled/reduced by PE mulching. Stem growth rates of mulched-intercropped walnut were always lower than the control, but much higher (ca. 235% in stem diameter and height) than those of unmulched-intercropped walnut. The higher field performance of mulched-intercropped walnut compared to the un- mulched-intercropped treatment was associated with higher soil moisture and predawn and midday values during the summers driest periods. The presence of PE mulching was also associated with lower levels of soil moisture during the early and late growing season, but this did not negatively affect walnut and growth rates. These results suggest that in the climatic conditions of central Italy, competition for soil moisture between young common walnut trees and alfalfa can be substantially lowered, but not completely eliminated, by PE mulching.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Richards林木生长模型及其适用性

该文简述了Ｒｉｃｈａｒｄｓ生长方程的可塑性，以毛白杨、华北落叶松、刺槐与斑克松的生长资料，讨论了描述林木生长过程的适用性。     

广西田林县森林分类经营的探讨

田林县是广西重点林区县之一。在当前实施分类经营的新形势下 ,对需要确定的生态公益林和商品林的比例、范围、布局、经营方针、目标、林产业结构调整等问题进行了论述。森林分类区划界定的总面积为4 35 5 32 9hm2 ,其中生态公益林 16 2 94 2hm2 ,占 37 4 % ;商品林 2 72 5 90 9hm2 ,占 6 2 6 %。并提出了实施建议。     

东阳市生态公益林防护体系建设发展方向

东阳市地处浙江省中部，全市国土面积175211hm^2。为了改变树种结构单一，林分质量差，水土流失比较严重的局面，必须加快生态公益林建设。全市界定重点公益林35050hm^2，占林业用地的33％。介绍了公益林的总体布局以及保障措施。     

Study on Balance between Supply and Demand for Timber and Timber Products in China

INTRODUCTION Because China is deficient in forest resources, and the forest has the characteristics of low quality, uneven distribution, slow growth and severe situation of ecological environment, the ecology construction has become the first requirement in society and with the implementation of the “Natural Forest Conservation Program”, Chinese forestry is in the historic transition from timber production to ecological construction. Therefore, the timber production in China increases…     

发展商品林首选红心杉

陈山红心杉木是江西具有地方特色的杉木优良种源，随着国家林业六大重点工程建设，对发展红心杉前景进行了预测，并提出发展红心杉商品林的措施。