Though bacteria and fungi are common inhabitants of decaying wood, little is known about the relationship between bacterial and fungal community dynamics during natural wood decay. Based on previous studies involving inoculated wood blocks, strong fungal selection on bacteria abundance and community composition was expected to occur during natural wood decay. Here, we focused on bacterial and f...

To provide data and methods for analyzing stem mechanics, we investigated bending, density and growth characteristics of 207 specimens of fresh wood from different heights and radial positions of the stem of one mature Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) tree. From the shape of each stress-strain curve, which was calculated from bending tests that accounted for shear deformation, we determine...

This paper describes a new method, called theCT-direction method, in which the fiber directions in woodin three-dimensional space are calculated from the pixelinformation on a series of two-dimensional computed to-mography images. Local fiber directions are calculated fromthe principal directions of inertia of measurement spheresdistributed throughout the body of the woo...

This research tested the hypothesis that environmental factors (light, water, and nutrient levels) affect wood development. Specimens were placed in treatments of low, medium, or high levels of light, water, nitrogen, or phosphorus for one year. Control plants received medium levels of all factors, while experimental plants received medium levels of all factors except the experimental factor; f...

Heat treatment is often used to improve the dimensional stability of wood. In this study, the effects of heat treatment on the physical properties and surface roughness of Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna L.) wood were examined. Samples obtained from Kastamonu Forest Enterprises, Turkey, were subjected to heat treatment at varying temperatures and for different durations. The physical properties ...

Dynamic modulus of elasticity was determined in clearwood samples of eight tropical hardwood species using longitudinal vibrations, flexural vibration and ultrasonic transit-time methods. These samples were subsequently subjected to three point static bending test to determine static modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture. Acoustic velocity and wood density were found to be independent pa...

Results from an experimental investigation on the compression behavior of balsa wood are presented. Specimens with varying densities, ranging from 55 to 380 kg/m, are loaded in the grain (fiber, cell) direction using a screw-driven material testing system at a strain rate of 10 s. The results indicate that compressive strength of balsa wood increases with increasing density. Post-test scanning ...

Hydrothermal treatment of wood material products with many interesting properties such as enhanced dimensional stability, lower equilibrium moisture content and increased biological durability. The effects of hydrothermal treatment on dimensional stability, oven dry density and water absorption of beech wood (Fagus Orientalis) naturally grown, has been studied in present research that extremely...

In-plane density variations exist in oriented strandboards (OSB) due to random flake deposition in mat forming. The integrity of structural performance of the board in service depends on the degree of homogeneity of its horizontal density. In this paper, non-contact ultrasound (NCU – air-coupled) in through transmission was used specifically to correlate the NCU parameters to the spatial densit...

We describe regional patterns of variation in dead wood across 20 million ha of upland forests of all ownerships in Oregon and Washington, based on an analysis of data on snags and down wood collected on over 16,000 field plots. Current patterns of dead wood are highly variable and complex. The strongest differences were among nine habitats that reflect strong regional gradients in physical env...