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Moisture content (MC) serves as a pivotal metric for assessing the wood quality, impacting crucial properties such as density, stiffness, and strength. Accurate determination of MC is imperative for ensuring quality and meeting specifications. This study introduces a novel dual-parameters microwave measurement methodology designed for precise MC quantification in spruce. By analyzing the sensitivity and linearity of the S21 with MC across both the S and X bands, we identify the most effective measurement parameters. Experimental work further investigates the correlation between the amplitude and phase of S21 and the MC in spruce, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of moisture influence on wood properties through microwave techniques. Finally, considering the impact of MC on both the amplitude and phase of S21, we introduce a dual-parameters microwave approach for accurately determining spruce MC. This method has been validated through case studies in both X and S bands. Our discussion extends to the effects of wood material characteristics, moisture distribution within samples, wood texture directions, and specimen dimensions on S21. Experimental results confirm that this approach significantly improves the precision of MC measurements in spruce, achieving an error rate of 0.15% in X band and 0.49% in S band measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for renewable and sustainable energy sources has been driving research into the potential of forest biomass. In this context, this study evaluated the impact of planting spacing on the anatomy and basic density of Tachigali vulgaris wood, a native species of Eastern Amazonia with potential for bioenergy. The research was conducted in Almeirim, Pará, and included six different planting spacings (4.5, 6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 10.5, and 12m2). The analyzed properties were vessel grouping, vessel frequency, tangential diameter of vessel lumens, vessel element length, height and frequency of rays, fiber length and diameter, lumen diameter, and basic density. An average wood basic density of 0.615 g cm− 3 was found, with no significant influence from planting spacing. However, significant differences were observed among spacings for fiber length (highest at 6.0 m2 – 1393.73 μm) and vessel frequency (highest at 6 m2 – 5.42 n.mm− 2). T. vulgaris exhibits suitable anatomical and basic density characteristics for bioenergy purposes, especially for thermochemical conversion. The 9.0 m2 planting spacing achieved the highest average wood basic density and optimized fiber length and vessel frequency, both relevant for producing high-quality charcoal. Characterizing T. vulgaris wood across different planting spacings offers valuable insights for sustainable species management and its utilization in bioenergy production, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast-growing tree species, such as Eucalyptus, are used extensively in plantations for timber, but their mechanical properties are not well understood, especially the microfibril angle (MFA), which affects wood stiffness. MFA measurement is complex and expensive, but near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers a non-destructive alternative. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of NIRS in predicting MFA across different regions and environments. The results showed that NIRS could predict MFA, but the accuracy varied. In Brazil, higher prediction accuracy was observed when data from multiple regions were combined. In Laos, the presence of juvenile wood significantly decreased prediction accuracy. Combining data from multiple sites improved prediction accuracy, but decreased accuracy when juvenile wood was included. The study concludes that effective MFA prediction models must consider regional and environmental differences. Creating region-specific models is necessary for reliable wood quality assessment using NIRS. This research underscores the potential of NIRS as a practical tool for wood quality evaluation, highlighting the importance of accounting for factors such as wood maturity and environmental conditions in developing robust predictive models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is stored in thin-walled tissue of wood for several years or even decades. Starch reserves vary by anatomical structure, growth ring, and tree species. The spatial distribution pattern of starch in Catalpa bungei 'Jinsi' wood is unclear. We sampled three C. bungei 'Jinsi' trees at the end of the growing season and cut discs from their trunks to stain starch granules in wood ray cells with iodine–potassium iodide. We studied starch content in the ray cells of the trunks' height position (stump, breast height, and crown base) from pith to bark in four directions (west, east, south, north) of the tree. There was a significant difference in starch content in three trunk height positions (p < 0.01), with stump (4.06 to 92.16%) > breast height (6.05 to 69.05%) > crown base (3.89 to 47.04%). There was a significant difference in starch content in different directions at the same height position. In the radial direction, the starch content of sapwood was much higher than that of heartwood, and the starch content showed an overall decreasing trend from bark to pith. The results indicated that starch distribution in tree trunks is uneven, which is related to energy metabolism processes, especially heartwood formation. This will contribute to further research on improving wood quality through the C. bungei 'Jinsi' tree breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of wood property variation within trees is critical for understanding age effects on wood formation and for improved utilization of forests, and maps provide an effective way to efficiently summarize and visually represent variability. Despite the importance of maps, examples for North American conifers are rare. Most studies focus on plantation grown trees, with the majority examining loblolly and radiata pine. For these species almost all maps can be categorized into two groups related to tracheid differentiation processes. One group includes properties related to secondary cell wall formation, e.g., density, and the second relates to tracheid enlargement, e.g., tracheid length. Maps for trees from natural forests are largely limited to density and are highly variable indicating site effects are large. The degree of variation within a species made it impossible to develop conclusions regarding general patterns of variation as with plantation grown trees. The identified density maps are consistent with the three radial variation patterns defined by Panshin and de Zeeuw (1980) (Type 1 (increase), 2 (decrease then increase), and 3 (decrease)). A focused research effort to better visualize wood property variation is required, particularly for species demonstrating Type 2 and 3 radial density patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in Corymbia wood stems from its diverse applications. This study evaluated the use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a nondestructive method for characterizing Corymbia wood. Were developed predictive models for wood chemical properties using 100 samples from 1059 trees across 34 clonal materials from three experimental plantations, each three years old. Spectra were obtained from nondestructive sawdust samples covering the 1110–2500 nm range. The 100 calibration trees were analyzed for total lignin, extractives, holocellulose, and ash content using conventional methods. Partial least squares regression (PLS-R) was used to develop and validate NIRS models. Results showed satisfactory predictions for lignin (R2cv = 0.63; RMSEcv = 0.58%; REp = 2.85%), extractives (R2cv = 0.72; RMSEcv = 0.60%; REp = 14.12%), holocellulose (R2cv = 0.61; RMSEcv = 1.05%; REp = 1.09%), and ash (R2cv = 0.42; RMSEcv = 0.22%; REp = 18.56%). These models predicted chemical properties of all 1059 trees accurately. Clonal materials 12 and 17 had high lignin, extractives, and ash, while materials 28, 33, and 34 had lower values. NIR spectroscopy proves to be an effective and efficient tool for assessing wood quality, particularly useful in large-scale genetic improvement programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of wood quality in forestry operations is crucial for both forestry enterprises and the wood processing sector. Acoustic equipment utilizing excited stress acoustic waves has emerged as a valuable tool for evaluating the internal structure of standing trees. By measuring the propagation speed of these waves within the trunk, it becomes possible to assess the properties of wood before harvesting, aiding in management, planning, and maximizing resource value. The Arbotom acoustic stress tomograph represents one such device designed for evaluating standing trees' qualitative properties. In a study evaluating its efficacy, 136 trees in a specific forest stand were examined over a period spanning October 2021 to March 2024. The acquired data underwent analysis, with 17 trees selected for qualitative evaluation using both image analysis in ImageJ software and the STN EN 1309-3 standard. The study revealed that, on average, the tomographer tended to overestimate the extent of damage by qualitative features by approximately 14.9% compared to digital image assessment and 9.9% compared to assessment according to the standard. The method could still serve as a component within a broader framework of precision forestry. Combining the acoustic tomography method with other precision forestry techniques could potentially yield more satisfactory results, paving the way for the development of automated systems for assessing tree quality in forest stands. This integration could enhance the efficiency and accuracy of wood quality assessment, benefiting both forestry management and downstream processing operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thinning silviculture is a forestry measure that can improve forest ecosystems and stand structure. Thinning can impact the properties and quality of poplar wood. This study investigated the effects of three different thinning intensities on the fiber morphology and crystallinity of poplar wood, providing a theoretical basis for the cultivation and rational processing of poplar plantations. The results indicated significant differences in the proportion of wet heartwood area among different thinning intensities. With increased thinning intensity, the wet heartwood area proportion rose, while it decreased with wood height under the same thinning intensity. Fiber length increased with thinning intensity, reaching a 16% increase at 50% thinning, as well as with sampling height. Fiber width grew with thinning intensity, initially widening, and then narrowing with height. Cell wall thickness first increased and then decreased with thinning intensity, peaking at 50% thinning. The fiber length-width ratio increased with thinning intensity and initially increased then decreased with height. The fiber-diameter-cavity ratio also increased with thinning intensity and height. Crystallinity showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with tree height, peaking at breast height, and it was higher in normal wood than in wet heartwood under the same thinning intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of edge-glued boards is one of the possibilities of using European beech wood for products with higher added value. European beech is highly abundant in the forests of Central Europe, but it is a wood species that has specific characteristics that affect the efficiency of processing. The dimensions and quality of the raw material are determined by the standard. This study analyzes the influence of the quality of European beech raw material on the quantitative and qualitative yield during the production of cross-sections used to produce edge-glued boards. Results show that the effect of class (raw material quality) on the quantity of timber produced is not remarkable. For classes III.B and III.C, the most prevalent factors diminishing yield were the quality and extent of red false heartwood, as well as cracks. This study confirmed that superior raw material quality has a positive impact on the yield of blanks with the highest quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The development of branches on the lower part of the trunk plays a decisive role in the early growth of trees and influences the wood quality of their most valuable sections. This study investigated the effects of planting density on the horizontal and vertical spatial distribution, branch morphology, and branch quantity characteristics of two elite clones of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.), Yang 061 and Yang 020. The results revealed the following distinct responses between the two clones: Yang 061 exhibited significant reductions in branch base diameter and length under a higher planting density, alongside an increased frequency of small branches (<15 mm), but there was no significant effect on branch angles. In contrast, Yang 020 was primarily influenced by genetic factors, with planting density exerting minimal impact. This clone optimized resource allocation by promoting the mortality of lower branches through angle adjustments, resulting in negligible changes to branch development across different planting densities. Pronounced differences in vertical and horizontal branch distributions were observed in areas with significant light disparities, such as the middle crown and northeast direction, for both clones, with increased planting density exacerbating these differences. In conclusion, increasing the planting density of Yang 061 from 2500 to 3333 trees·ha−1 can effectively reduce its branch size; whereas, increasing the planting density of Yang 020 from 3000 to 5100 trees·ha−1 can slightly decrease its branch size without affecting its early rapid growth, thereby achieving a synergistic improvement in both timber yield and quality. These findings highlight the importance of interactions between genetic traits and planting density in shaping branch development and spatial distribution patterns, providing insights to optimize planting density for improving the productivity and wood quality of Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the wood properties is fundamental because these properties are directly related to wood quality. The near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technique has been used to determine various properties of wood. However, even with promising results, NIR spectroscopy needs to be further investigated to evaluate the robustness of its estimates. The objective of this study was to develop regression models from NIR spectra to estimate the basic density and the extractive and lignin contents of wood as well as to verify their robustness through independent and cross-validation. NIR spectra were initially obtained through an integration sphere and optical fiber for the transverse and radial faces of solid wood and through an integration sphere for powdered wood. The wood basic density and the extractive and lignin contents were determined by conventional methods in 180 and 143 specimens, respectively. The samples were collected from Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis clones aged 5 years. The basic density and extractive and lignin content values were correlated with the NIR spectra by a partial least squares regression. The best models for estimating the basic density of the wood were generated from the spectra obtained on the transverse surface, both with the integration sphere pathway and in the optical fiber pathway. For estimating the chemical properties of wood, the best models were developed from the powdered wood via the integration sphere for assessing the extractive content, Klason lignin, acid-soluble lignin content and total lignin. In all the models, the mathematical treatment of the data by the first derivative was essential for better fitting the models and reducing the error. We concluded that NIR spectroscopy was effective for the estimation of basic density and extractive and lignin contents of wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative wood inspection technology is crucial in various industries, especially for determining wood quality by counting rings in each stave, a key factor in wine barrel production. (1) Background: Traditionally, human inspectors visually evaluate staves, compensating for natural variations and characteristics like dirt and saw-induced aberrations. These variations pose significant challenges for automatic inspection systems. Several techniques using classical image processing and deep learning have been developed to detect tree-ring boundaries, but they often struggle with woods exhibiting heterogeneity and texture irregularities. (2) Methods: This study proposes a hybrid approach combining classical computer vision techniques for preprocessing with deep learning algorithms for classification, designed for continuous automated processing. To enhance performance and accuracy, we employ a data augmentation strategy using cropping techniques to address intra-class variability in individual staves. (3) Results: Our approach significantly improves accuracy and reliability in classifying wood with irregular textures and heterogeneity. The use of explainable AI and model calibration offers a deeper understanding of the model's decision-making process, ensuring robustness and transparency, and setting confidence thresholds for outputs. (4) Conclusions: The proposed system enhances the performance of automatic wood inspection technologies, providing a robust solution for industries requiring precise wood quality assessment, particularly in wine barrel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the damage caused to trees by beef cattle in integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems with different tree arrangements. The treatments evaluated were the ICLF-1L system, with single lines of eucalyptus (187 trees ha−1), and the ICLF-3L system, with three lines of eucalyptus (446 trees ha−1). The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four replications. The eucalyptus clone I-224 and Nellore cattle breed were used for this study. The damage caused by cattle to eucalyptus was classified as follows: Tb, trunk breakage; Ti, trunk injury reaching the wood by removing the cambium tissue; Bb, breakage branches greater than 2 cm in diameter; Bi, bark injury without reaching the cambium; Bt, breakage of thin branches and browsing on leaves; and Di, lesions greater than 5 cm in diameter. The damage score was calculated for each tree by the sum of grade the damage that cattle caused to the tree: Tb = 10.0; Ti = 4.0; Bb = 2.0; Bi = 1.5; Bt = 1.0; and Di = 1.0. The diameter at breast height (DBH), height and wood volume of the trees were also evaluated. The frequencies of Ti, Bb and Di were greater in the ICLF-1L system than in the ICLF-3L system (P < 0.05); in contrast, the frequencies of Bt and Bi were greater in the ICLF-3L system. The damage score was greater in the ICLF-1L system (6.61; P < 0.05) than in the ICLF-3L system (4.60). The height was greater in the ICLF-3L system (P < 0.05), and the DBH and individual wood volume did not differ between the systems (P > 0.05). Cattle cause damage to eucalyptus trees regardless of tree arrangement (ICLF-1L and ICLF-3L), but the damages were greater in the ICLF-1L system. Although the damages were more severe in ICLF-1L, tree growth and wood production were the same in both systems. Additional studies should be conducted to assess the impacts of livestock damage in wood quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This research and its associated results from the technical solution can be used in wood quality control systems, flow-through imaging of wood surfaces, and real-time defect detection on production lines. This paper presents a method for detecting holes and grooves made by wood-boring pests. As part of the production process automation, wood delivered from sawmills is checked for defects visible on its surface. One of the critical defects that disqualifies wood from further processing is the presence of feeding marks left by various types of pests on its surface. This paper proposes a method for detecting this type of damage based on analysis of three-dimensional images of the wood surface. Three-dimensional imaging methods and the image resolutions resulting from the adopted imaging system's configurations are discussed. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the methods investigated is presented, together with an assessment of their potential use in the implementation of the assigned control task, i.e., the detection of holes and grooves made by pests. Three-dimensional image parameters and interferences affecting the quality of the recorded image are described, along with the designed algorithm for identifying holes and grooves and the parametric description of the identified defect. The imaging effects for selected surfaces bearing signs of pest damage and the parameters describing the effectiveness of the present industrial solution are also presented. This paper demonstrates that it is possible to build a three-dimensional image to identify damage effectively within a minimum diameter of 1mm. It makes it possible to observe the damage carried out by most wood-boring pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood plate bark removal processing is critical for ensuring the quality of wood processing and its products. To address the issue of lack of datasets available for the application of deep learning methods to this field, and to fill the research gap of deep learning methods in the application field of wood plate bark removal equipment, a benchmark for wood plate segmentation in bark removal processing is proposed in this study. Firstly, a costumed image acquisition device is designed and assembled on bark removal equipment to capture wood plate images in real industrial settings. After data filtering, enhancement, annotation, recording, and partitioning, a benchmark dataset named the WPS-dataset containing 4863 images was constructed. The WPS-dataset is evaluated by training six typical semantic segmentation models. The experimental results show that the models effectively learn and understand the WPS-dataset characteristics during training, resulting in high performance and accuracy in wood plate segmentation tasks. The WPS-dataset can lay a solid foundation for future research in bark removal processing and contribute to advancements in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores a new approach to purify wood vinegar by using wet scrubbing to absorb smoke prior to condensation, aiming to reduce toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and improve the quality of liquid smoke. Traditional methods of post-condensation involve costly techniques and additional equipment. Pyrolysis of coconut shells was conducted at 500 °C for 2 h with a water scrubber. Chemical characterization was performed using FTIR and GC/MS, revealing the presence of carbonyl groups, carboxylic acids, and phenol derivatives. Major components identified included carboxylics, phenolics, furans, and carbonyls, with GC/MS confirming the prevalence of light PAHs across all samples. Despite the water scrubber's limited efficacy in absorbing PAHs, the produced wood vinegar exhibited heightened antibacterial potential and antioxidant activity compared to commercial wood vinegar (0.37% and 0.75% for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively). These results highlight the potential of water scrubbers in enhancing the purification process, thereby improving wood vinegar quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is an excellent short-rotation woody crop species for producing hardwood pulp and biofuel feedstock on marginal sites. A recent development which may improve growth is the production of hybrid sweetgum (L. formosana x styraciflua) clones. We compared the productivity and attributes, e.g., wood specific gravity and stand growth, of operational plantations of hybrid sweetgum clones to improved native sweetgum half-sib families in 36 stands in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, U.S. The least square means (LSMean) of wood specific gravity was significantly greater for hybrids clones than the half-sibs (0.49 vs. 0.46 g/cm3), and the hybrid clones had less taper which necessitated developing genotype-specific volume and biomass equations. Despite having less fertilizer inputs on average, the hybrids had greater standing green stem biomass than the half-sibs at an age of 8.5 years (LSMean of 73.3 vs. 51.9 Mg/ha). The hybrids as a group also exhibited greater green biomass growth during the 2022 growing season when compared to the half-sibs at 8.5 years (LSMean of 15.8 vs. 11.4 Mg/ha/y). Therefore, the hybrids provide growth and wood quality advantages that may provide an opportunity to increase productivity and profitability of hardwood SRWC plantings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed stands of tree species with complementary traits can modulate stand growth and timber quality. At the Fengshushan Forest Farm, mixtures of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) with Liquidambar formosana Hance, Schima superba Gardner & Champ., Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir., Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl, and Chinese fir monoculture were established. Differences in stand growth and timber quality among these mixtures were assessed and a test was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing the mixture effects. The average diameter at breast height, tree height, stand volume, and individual tree annual increment of mixtures generally exceeded those of Chinese fir monocultures but not necessarily those of broad-leaved monocultures. When the net interaction between species was complementary, overyielding in mixtures occurred (RPfir,bl > 0), which was influenced significantly by stand density, soil properties, and timber quality. The timber quality and wood production of Chinese fir were enhanced by mixture with some broad-leaved species, with reduced slenderness and knottiness in mixtures, and notable increases in medium- (average outturn rates of 56.13%) and large-diameter (11.71%) timber in C. lanceolata/C. camphora mixture. The growth and timber quality of Chinese fir are largely promoted when grown mixed with broad-leaved species. Overyielding at the stand level occurs where Chinese fir compensates for the underperformance of broad-leaved trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Forests face many threats. While traditional breeding may be too slow to deliver well‐adapted trees, genomic selection (GS) can accelerate the process. We describe a comprehensive study of GS from proof of concept to operational application in western redcedar (WRC, Thuja plicata).Using genomic data, we developed models on a training population (TrP) of trees to predict breeding values (BVs) in a target seedling population (TaP) for growth, heartwood chemistry, and foliar chemistry traits. We used cross‐validation to assess prediction accuracy (PACC) in the TrP; we also validated models for early‐expressed foliar traits in the TaP.Prediction accuracy was high across generations, environments, and ages. PACC was not reduced to zero among unrelated individuals in TrP and was only slightly reduced in the TaP, confirming strong linkage disequilibrium and the ability of the model to generate accurate predictions across breeding generations. Genomic BV predictions were correlated with those from pedigree but displayed a wider range of within‐family variation due to the ability of GS to capture the Mendelian sampling term.Using predicted TaP BVs in multi‐trait selection, we functionally implemented and integrated GS into an operational tree‐breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus pinaster is a very important species for the Galician wood industry. A genetic breeding program was started in the 1980s to select plus trees based on growth and straightness. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters, juvenile-mature correlations and genetic gains in basic density (BD) and the dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEd) in Galician breeding families, as well as their relation to volume, straightness, and tree slenderness. All traits were measured at a tree age of 12 years in three half-sib progeny trials. Wood quality traits were also measured at 24 years in two other trials. All progeny trials followed a randomized complete block design and the data were analyzed using several mixed-model approaches. The individual heritability of MOEd remained stable at both ages (~ 0.39) but decreased with age for BD (from 0.44 at age 12 to 0.24 at age 24). The high juvenile-mature correlations (0.51 for BD, 0.57 for MOEd) observed support the viability of early selection for both traits at 12 years. Both wood quality traits correlated positively with each other and weakly with volume, straightness and tree slenderness. Selecting a minimum number of the best families, based on volume or any wood quality trait, would generate genetic gains for the selecting trait and prevent genetic losses of non-selecting traits. We also identified specific families showing positive genetic gains for all traits. The research indicates that either or both of these wood quality traits could be included as new selection criteria in the Galician breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand caused by the decreasing number of tree species used in guitar production every day is being tried to be met with artificial materials in the 21st century. Guitars are produced mainly in countries where cheap labor and materials are sold at affordable prices, attracting much attention in Turkey and the rest of the world. This type of guitar, sold in some chain markets in Turkey several times a year, attracts the attention of those who mainly want to get a guitar education at the beginner level. This research aims to determine the technical, musical, and structural competence level of imported guitars used at the beginner level in Turkey. In the research conducted in the case study pattern, we studied five people who are experts in their field. "Guitar Technical and Musical Evaluation Form" and "Guitar Structural Evaluation Form" were used as data collection tools by expert opinions. The obtained data were analyzed with the appropriate computer program. The content analysis of the answers given to the open-ended questions was carried out. As a result of the research, it has been found that the guitars in question are regular in appearance, but they are technically and musically found to be incompetent. However, it has been found that the guitars are structurally proportional, but the wood quality needs to be improved. All experts have stated that these instruments have an intonation problem and are unsuitable for guitar education. As a result of the research, it is proposed to officially determine the standards of guitars and allow their import within the framework of these standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is essential for tree growth and development, yet some species are able, or prefer, to tolerate shady conditions without adversely affecting their development. This ecological preference prompts different strategies in these species, often involving a trade-off between performance and safety in terms of mechanical support, conductivity, and pest and disease protection. Studies on the ecological strategies of trees and their associated functional traits are essential to gain further insight into biodiversity and the processes that shape wood quality from the standpoint of technological properties useful to humans. This literature review showcases current links between ecological preferences and the main functional traits of tree species, with particular emphasis on wood properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, forest fires have become increasingly common, but also more damaging phenomena. These aspects are reflected in significant economic losses that affect the quality and quantity of wood volumes that can be used for industrial processing. For this reason, knowing the quality of the wood is important, especially in fire-affected trees. Because visual analyses cannot always reflect the quality of the wood inside the trunk, the present research aimed to evaluate the extent to which modern techniques based on the transfer of sounds can identify internal wood defects. In this sense, 42 tomograms made from beech trees affected by a litter fire were compared with the relative resistances of the wood to drilling and with the real condition of the wood inside the trunk, as made visible through the growth cores taken with a Pressler drill. From the cumulative interpretation of the results, it was found that the trees affected by the fire have serious defects, which lead to the downgrading of the wood and are not reproduced by the tomograph to their true extent. Conversely, sound transfer speeds through wood are influenced by the presence of beech red heartwood, which leads to an increase in sound transfer speeds through wood, and that can alter the accuracy of the tomogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radial variation in uniseriate ray characteristics of six Korean oak species was observed to provide information for wood identification and quality evaluation. Radial variations in uniseriate ray characteristics, such as ray height, number, and spacing, were observed at five growth ring intervals from the pith to near the bark using optical microscopy. The transition point between the juvenile and mature wood was evaluated using a segmented regression model. All species showed a comparable trend in uniseriate ray number and spacing, gradually decreasing from the pith to near the bark. Transition zones for the six Korean oak species ranged from 21 to 39 years of growth. The highest uniseriate ray heights and spacings were observed in Quercus aliena. Quercus dentata exhibited the highest number of uniseriate rays. Across all species, uniseriate ray number and spacing were higher in juveniles than in mature wood. A negative correlation was observed between the uniseriate ray number and spacing and the uniseriate ray height. The strongest positive correlation was observed between uniseriate ray number and ray spacing. The most reliable parameters for estimating the demarcation point were uniseriate ray number and spacing. The ray characteristics may be used to identify the six Korean oak species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival of relict Taxus wallichiana var. wallichiana (Yunnan yew) is threatened by overexploitation for its quality wood and medicinal properties, particularly for taxol extraction. Understanding the current status of its communities and populations is crucial for protecting existing natural forest resources. We established 53 vegetation plots in Yunnan, southwestern China, where T. wallichiana var. wallichiana is the primary dominant species. These plots were classified into four forest types. The forests were multi-stratified, with T. wallichiana var. wallichiana frequently dominating the subcanopy and shrub layer. Species diversity indices did not significantly differ among the four forest types. The age structure of T. wallichiana var. wallichiana exhibited a multi-modal pattern, with a maximum age of 1165 years. Growth was slow, with an average radial growth rate of 0.78 mm/year. Despite its strong sprouting ability, the species had a poor seedling/sapling bank and suffered from inadequate regeneration. Its seedlings/saplings are shade-intolerant. This study provides a scientific basis for effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for in situ regeneration to ensure the survival of T. wallichiana var. wallichiana and its contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variability in Eucalyptus wood density and chemical properties is crucial to understanding important factors for the forest-based industry, such as sampling methods and wood suitability as raw material. This study aimed to evaluate the basic density and chemical composition of the radial positions of young wood from the Eucalyptus urophylla clone grown under different precipitation levels. Trees from E. urophylla clonal plantations were collected in Inhambupe, Jandaíra and Itanagra, Bahia State, Brazil. Trees' basic density and chemical composition (total extractive, lignin, hemicelluloses and α-cellulose) were determined based on the basal log of each tree, at four radial positions (1, 2, 3 and 4). It was found that the basic density and α-cellulose of wood are influenced by the cambial age and the site rainfall. There was greater increase in sections close to the bark (positions 1 and 4) and in more humid environments (sites Itanagra and Jandaríra). This finding highlights the association between wood basic density and chemical composition, mainly in the holocellulose content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black ash (Fraxinus nigra Marsh.) is an important species for the W8banaki Nation, which uses its wood for traditional basketry. This study aimed to identify the wood properties required for black ash splints used in basketry. Eleven logs were selected and pounded into 26 longitudinal groups of annual wood layers, which were then transformed into splints. A quality class (high, medium, or low) was assigned by W8banakiak knowledge carriers to each group of rings. We measured wood density, ring width, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture on samples located at the same radial position in wood bolts collected adjacently to the logs used for pounding. To investigate which wood properties were best related to the assigned wood quality class, we applied a generalized linear mixed model. Our model revealed a significant effect of ring width and average ring density on the probability to obtain a given wood quality class. Narrow- to medium-sized rings and relatively dense wood offered the best quality for basketry practice. Based on our results, further research on the effects of growth conditions that favour the production of high-quality black ash wood could be conducted to ultimately propose silvicultural treatments and management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) has been adopted as a feasible technique to characterize tree stems while the characterization of trees' branching architecture has remained less explored. In general, branching architecture refers to the spatial arrangement of branches and their characteristics that are important when exploring the eco-physiological functioning of trees or assessing tree biomass and wood quality. Our aim was to develop a point cloud processing method for identifying and segmenting individual branches from TLS point clouds. We applied a Cartesian-to-cylinder coordinate transformation and a simple morphological filtering for stem surface reconstruction and stem-branch separation. Then branch origins were identified as their intersections with the stem surface, and individual branches were segmented based on their connectivity with the branch origins. The method, implemented in MATLAB and openly available, was validated on a 0.4-ha mature and managed southern boreal forest stand. The branch identification performance was assessed based on visual interpretation of 364 randomly sampled stem sections from 100 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris (L.)) trees that were inspected for branch identification accuracy. The results showed that the branches could only be identified up to the height where the stem could be reconstructed. For 90% of the trees, this threshold ranged between 59.3% and 81.2% relative tree heights. Branches located below this threshold were identified with a recall of 75%, a precision of 92%, and an F1-score of 0.82. Based on our study, it appears that in a managed Scots pine stand, most of the branches can be identified with the developed method for the most valuable stem part eligible for logwood. The findings obtained in this study promote the feasibility of using TLS in applications requiring detailed characterization of trees. The developed method can be further used in quantifying the characteristics of individual branches, which could be useful for biomass and wood quality assessment, for example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serious problems have occurred on Falcataria moluccana plantations because of gall rust disease caused by Uromycladium tepperianum. The disease inhibits tree growth, reduces wood quality, and can cause tree mortality. The presence of galls is a notable symptom of this disease. The study aimed to investigate the anatomy of the galls and the changes in wood anatomical characteristics of F. moluccana due to the infection of U. tepperianum. Wood blocks containing outer bark, cambium and xylem with different levels of severity of gall rust attack were removed from the main stem of F. moluccana trees. Microscopic observations were conducted to observe the anatomical characteristics of the galls, affected wood and healthy wood. The results showed that the anatomy of galls was different from that of affected wood or healthy wood. The percentage of vessel area, diameter of vessel, percentage of ray parenchyma and the length of wood fibres were significantly different between normal wood and affected wood. The results could be useful in understanding gall formation and assessing its impact on wood quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and the gradual phaseout of the spruce from Central Europe inspired us to study the effects of the ageing process of trees on wood properties. This study was conducted in old tree stands with significant involvement of the spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst) in the ages between 122 and 177 years. The study material (samples) was collected from the selected trees to study wood properties such as density, resilience to compressive strength, resilience to bending strength, and modulus of elasticity. The results and findings of this study indicate that the spruce currently reaches the optimal technical quality of wood tissue at approximately 60 years of age. It is approximately 20 years earlier than the planned cutting age for the species. This could be due to water stress which led to adaptive changes in the wood tissue and earlier technical maturation of the wood in the studied trees. Significant radiant variabilities of wood properties of the Norway spruce were observed. It was determined that wood density does not fully reflect its mechanical properties, and it can be considered an indicator of the technical quality of wood tissue, but only within a limited scope. The results obtained may not only be applied in optimising the use of wood from spruce stands. They can also indicate the need to change the approach to managing spruce stands and their conversion towards broadleaf species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the yield and quality of Teak wood from a Forest Industry Organization (FIO) plantation and a private teak plantation (PTP) in Thailand to provide guidelines for the sustainable utilization of teak wood. To quantify yields, we employed a randomized design at two locations (FIO and PTP), and determined volumetric proportions, the yields of milled teak and wood properties. We found that the whole lumber yield differed significantly (p≤0.05) between the two locations, although the yield of lumber sheets did not differ (p>0.05). While more teak wood was produced at the FIO plantation than the PTP, the sawing techniques used at the two locations resulted in no significant difference in wood yield. Wood drying had significantly different effects (p≤0.05) between the two locations, but the drying method did not differ (p>0.05). Overall, the lumber yields were greater for timber harvested from an FIO plantation than a PTP. Even though there are differences in sawing techniques adopted, the final lumber yield did not differ significantly between these two sources. The mechanical properties of teak wood improved with kiln drying, FIO plantation exhibits better properties than dried wood from the PTP.

Pernambuco is the archetypal wood in modern bows of the violin-family. This species (Paubrasilia echinata) is endangered. Existing literature suggests remaining questions on how its properties' variability relates to qualification in bow-making, and to diversity. Here 61 pernambuco specimens, with various qualitative evaluations by makers, are characterised for physical, elastic, dynamic, and optical properties. Results are compared with standard relations between-properties, and with 53 pre-selected tropical hardwoods. The tested pernambuco stands in the medium-upper range of these pre-selected species for density (ρ) and modulus of elasticity (E). It is exceptional for its very low damping coefficient (tanδ) and very intense colour (red a*, yellow b* and chroma C*). Within-species variability is high. Qualification is mostly associated to ρ, colour hue angle h° and gloss, then to elasticity – but E and E/ρ (specific modulus) overlap between groups. Qualification involves appearance (L*, h°, gloss) when freshly cut, and with anticipation of changes after ageing or finishing. The properties (damping, chroma) that make pernambuco exceptional among species, are not clearly related to the qualification within the studied sampling. Analyses help better understand the specificities of pernambuco, and highlight the multifactorial nature of wood selection at two levels: between-species preference, and within-species qualification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood quality has been an ongoing concern for science, having become increasingly important in the current context, in which the demand for wood is increasing and forest fires are more frequent and violent. This study aims to evaluate the quality of wood in trees affected by fires and the negative impact of these phenomena on the speed of wood degradation, as a result of weakening the trees due to the action of stress factors. The study was carried out using modern techniques on beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.) remaining in an area affected by a litter fire in 2017. Measurements were taken with the Arbotom Rinntech sound tomograph, the IML Resi F-500S resist graph, and the Pressler core sampler to observe the quality of the wood inside the trees. It was found that all the trees were in various stages of decay, the tomograms being able to characterize the severity of decay only in the case of fully decayed wood as a result of the action of xylophages fungi, whose harmful influence is more pronounced when the injuries sustained by the trees are higher. Although the trees attempted to close the fire wounds through their own defense mechanisms, the destructive action of the fungi intensified with time. After the forest fires, for an effective assessment of the wood's internal quality, the resist graph can be used. For valuable trees, one could use the tomograph, but the measurements have to be taken only by qualified operators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Western redcedar has high economic value and has been traditionally used for cultural purposes by Indigenous communities. Second-growth redcedar is potentially growing faster due to lower planting densities, fertilization, and tree breeding. Little quantitative information is available about the impact of management practices on wood quality, particularly heartwood extractives. This study evaluated the effects of growth rate and site on heartwood extractives at two locations aged 70–90 years in British Columbia, Canada. A three-parameter sigmoid model was fit to the data using nonlinear mixed effects to analyze the relationship between heartwood extractives relative to cambial age, growth rate, and sampling site. The southern site had significantly higher cumulative extractive concentrations, while all extractive concentrations increased faster. This study shows that smaller trees will reach their peak concentrations earlier than larger trees. Results show that faster growth through active management of western redcedar may lead to increased and more uniformly distributed content of heartwood extractives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the yield and quality of Teak wood from a Forest Industry Organization (FIO) plantation and a private teak plantation (PTP) in Thailand to provide guidelines for the sustainable utilization of teak wood. To quantify yields, we employed a randomized design at two locations (FIO and PTP), and determined volumetric proportions, the yields of milled teak and wood properties. We found that the whole lumber yield differed significantly (p≤0.05) between the two locations, although the yield of lumber sheets did not differ (p>0.05). While more teak wood was produced at the FIO plantation than the PTP, the sawing techniques used at the two locations resulted in no significant difference in wood yield. Wood drying had significantly different effects (p≤0.05) between the two locations, but the drying method did not differ (p>0.05). Overall, the lumber yields were greater for timber harvested from an FIO plantation than a PTP. Even though there are differences in sawing techniques adopted, the final lumber yield did not differ significantly between these two sources. The mechanical properties of teak wood improved with kiln drying, FIO plantation exhibits better properties than dried wood from the PTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's forestry practices, integrated management is the prevailing approach. One method gaining traction is retention forestry, where certain trees, known as biotope trees providing microhabitats (TreMs), are preserved during harvesting operations. This article delves into hands-on training for marking interventions using marteloscope plots, focusing specifically on 'Pokojná hora,' a 1-hectare plot situated in the southeast of the Czech Republic. Field surveys were conducted using FieldMap technology, capturing essential data for all trees: coordinates, species, diameter, height, and health status. Additionally, details such as wood quality, economic value, microhabitats, and habitat value were documented for each tree. Forestry engineering students virtually mapped out interventions on the marteloscope plot, testing 11 solution variants across 2 scenarios to strike a balance between economic goals and biodiversity conservation. The plot hosts 155 microsites, predominantly on Fagus sylvatica (common beech) with 108 microsites. The likelihood of TreMs increases with tree diameter, while the correlation between a tree's economic value and its diameter was confirmed. Optimal management suggests maintaining 10 habitat trees per ha to reconcile economic and ecological objectives during harvesting operations. In essence, we contend that the adoption of retention forestry practices coupled with marteloscope training can play a pivotal role in arresting biodiversity decline within forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to improve the effectiveness of silvicultural production of structural sawn timber from softwoods. It intends to explore prediction methods for mechanical timber quality. The study material was obtained from six stands divided into age groups of approximately 40- and 80-year-old trees (examining the influence of age). The stands were differentiated by their applied thinning system of thinning from below or above (examining the influence of the thinning system). Resulting from these different levels of data, i.e., stand parameters, tree anatomy, and visual board properties are examined and analyzed in ordinal logistic models and linear mixed models. Visual board properties were discerned by means of the German standard for visual grading of sawn timber. The mechanical board properties were measured in on-edge bending strength tests and allocated into strength classes, which were modeled in dependence of visual characteristics and forestry conditions. The evaluation of mechanical properties attributed a significant loss of timber quality to short rotation periods, non-ideal water supply, and a single-tree management system. The prediction capabilities of models based on site and tree characteristics were on par with the accuracy of visual grading. Management adaptations by intense thinning from above can lead to a significant decline in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) timber quality when site factors coincide. Particular care should be taken in the management of locations with high yield potential. Non-destructive evaluation based on site characteristics combined with terrestrial laser scan data of tree characteristics has potential as a pregrading method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the gradual increase of the demand for wooden products, people's requirements for processing quality of wooden products become higher. In this work, the dimension of groove micro‐texture is determined by finite element simulation analysis of tool structure strength. In this article, by designing milling experiments, the wood surface quality and wood surface morphology after milling with ordinary tools, micro‐textured tools, coated tools and micro‐textured coated tools are compared. The experimental results show that the quality of wood surface after milling with micro‐texture coating tool is better than that of the other three kinds of tools. And the wood surface after milling with micro‐texture coating tool is smooth, and the processing defects, such as burr and crack are less. In other words, micro‐texture technology combined with surface coating technology can effectively improve the surface quality of wood after milling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural regeneration can reduce costs compared with replanting. However, its use requires knowledge about how either active or passive management will affect the balance between quality and quantity in the timber supply. This study aimed to quantify the effects of respacing on volume recovery and wood properties. Two British forest experiments using Picea sitchensis with various respacing distances and an un-respaced control were assessed 21–22 years after the treatments were applied. Tree dimensions were measured and used to quantify slenderness, merchantable volume, and sawlog volume. Wood properties were assessed on a sub-sample using mechanical testing. Generalised linear mixed models were used to examine differences between treatments and sites. Respacing decreased slenderness and increased relative sawlog volume and branch size. Wider respacing reduced wood strength and the widest respacing reduced wood stiffness. Respacing did not affect wood density. However, at the relatively low productivity sites considered here, respacing to 2.1 m represented the best compromise for current markets. In summary, not respacing improved some wood properties but reduced tree stability and the proportion and volume of sawlogs, which will negatively affect forest value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mechanical properties of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir (Abies alba) wood from Bosnia and Herzegovina under outdoor exposure. Samples were exposed for 3-month exposure to assess bending strength, color changes, and surface quality. Results showed outdoor exposure negatively affected mechanical properties, particularly in samples with extended finger joints, causing significant surface cracks in uncoated samples. Beech wood exhibited notable color changes under exposure, with approximately 50% darkening without coating compared to 25% under covered conditions. Coated samples displayed minimal color changes, affirming the efficacy of surface treatment. Fir wood exhibited a roughness of 8.264 μm, while beechwood average roughness increased from 6.767 to 13.916 μm after exposure, with micro-pore development affecting water performance. Microscopic analysis identified prevalent fungal colonies, including Penicillium, Aureobasidium, Sclerophoma, and Chaetomium, underscoring their role in organic matter decomposition. This study highlights the importance of wood exposure and treatment selection for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) represents one of the most important commercial coniferous tree species, providing valuable timber. Due to climate change, it is experiencing serious problems in some areas, therefore, finding a suitable substitute for its wood is currently a challenge. In this study, we compared the wood quality of three different non-native pine species and Scots pine growing at the same site to ensure identical growing conditions. Black pine (Pinus nigra J. F. Arnold), a pine species native to Southern Europe, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C. Lawson) native to North America were compared to Scots pine for selected quantitative (productivity) and qualitative (physical and mechanical) properties. Significant differences between pine species were found in all quantitative dendrometric parameters, except average diameter at breast height. The stand volume ranged from 157 m3 ha−1 for lodgepole pine to 356 m3 ha−1 for Scots pine. For qualitative characteristics, wood density, shrinkage, and compressive strength were used to find differences among species in choosing the best alternative. The highest wood density was obtained for Scots pine (458 kg m−3), followed by black pine with 441 kg m−3. The density of the remaining pine species was significantly lower. Scots pine also exceeded the tested species in compressive strength (44.2 MPa). Lodgepole pine achieved the second highest value (39.3 MPa) but was statistically similar to black pine (36.5 MPa). The tested pine species exhibited similar values in shrinkage, which were statistically insignificant, ranging from 14.3% for lodgepole pine to 15.1% for Scots pine. Based on applications and preferred characteristics, black pine or lodgepole pine could serve as the Scots pine substitute in some areas. And vice versa, ponderosa pine did not attain the Scots pine wood quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Castanopsis hystrix, a precious tree species in Southeast Asia, has the advantages of rapid growth and high-quality wood materials. However, there are problems such as its long breeding cycle and low efficiency, and being time-consuming, which greatly restricts the industrial development of C. hystrix. Performing genome selection (GS) for growth and wood traits for the early selection of superior progeny has great significance for the rapid breeding of new superior varieties of C. hystrix. We used 226 clones in the main distribution and 479 progenies within 23 half-sib families as experimental materials in this study. Genotyping datasets were obtained by high-throughput re-sequencing technology, and GS studies were conducted on the growth (tree height (H), diameter at breast height (DBH)) and wood (wood density (WD), fiber length (FL), and fiber length–width ratio (LWR)) traits. The coefficient of variation (CV) of five phenotypic traits ranged from 10.1% to 22.73%, the average CV of growth traits was 19.93%, and the average CV of wood traits was 9.72%. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the five traits were almost all significantly positive. Based on the Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (GBLUP) model, the broad-sense heritabilities of growth traits were higher than those of wood quality traits, and the different number of SNPs had little effect on the heritability estimation. GS prediction accuracy first increased and then reached a plateau at around 3K SNPs for all five traits. The broad-sense heritability of these five traits was significantly positively correlated with their GS predictive ability (r = 0.564, p < 0.001). Bayes models had better GS prediction accuracy than the GBLUP model. The 15 excellent progeny individuals were selected, and their genetic gain ranged from 0.319% to 2.671%. These 15 superior offspring individuals were 4388, 4438, 4407, 4468, 4044, 4335, 4410, 4160, 4212, 4461, 4052, 4014, 4332, 4389, and 4007, mainly from three families F5, F6, and F11. Our research lays out the technical and material foundation for the rapid breeding of new superior varieties of C. hystrix in southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce defects in wood laser processing, this study establishes a multi-field coupling model that reflects the coupling relationship between laser energy, auxiliary gas, and slit quality. It reveals the temperature field distribution and heat transfer during this process at a macroscopic level. Using the COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6 software to simulate laser processing with or without helium gas assistance, we show that helium-assisted laser processing positively affects the quality of wood processing. We further researched the influence of different laser powers and spot radii on ablation damage volume and gasification volume, and the results indicate that the adopted model effectively simulates the influence of laser power and auxiliary gas on laser cutting ability, accurately reflecting the impact of different process parameters on cutting depth and kerf width. The accuracy and effectiveness of this model were validated through comparison with experimental data. This research enhances process reliability and economic benefits through numerical simulation and prediction, expands theoretical research and engineering applications in the laser processing field, and optimizes and innovates wood processing technology. It provides a promising method for enhancing the added value of wood products and efficiently using wood resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]