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Existing methods for determining borate preservative con-tent of wood are either only qualitative... more Existing methods for determining borate preservative con-tent of wood are either only qualitative or require elaborate analytical techniques. Qualitative methods include the use of surface-applied colorimetric reagents such as catechol violet (available commercially as borate indicator ...

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, 2008

The ability to identify both low- and high-durability samples in a population of naturally durabl... more The ability to identify both low- and high-durability samples in a population of naturally durable samples would allow more rational use of these materials, for example, using samples in the lower ranges of durability in non-soil contact. One possible method for rapidly assessing differences in heartwood characteristics related to durability is near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) coupled with multivariate statistical methods. A number of recent studies suggest that NIR can be related to a variety of wood properties, including extractive content. There are, however, few data on the ability of this technique to assess decay resistance, especially in hardwoods or species with high natural durability. In this report, the ability of NIR to predict both extractive content and resistance to fungal attack in Goncalo alves (Astronium graveolens) was assessed. NIR spectra accurately predicted hot-water-soluble extractive content of A. graveolens and its susceptibility to the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor. A. graveolens was very resistant to attack by the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum and NIR spectra were not useful predictors of weight loss. NIR spectroscopy may be a useful tool for rapidly assessing the extractive content and decay resistance of naturally durable wood. Die Möglichkeit, aus einer Gesamtheit von natürlich dauerhaften Proben zwischen wenig und sehr dauerhaften Proben zu unterscheiden, würde eine rationellere Verwendung dieser Materialien erlauben, wie zum Beispiel die Verwendung von weniger dauerhaften Proben ohne Erdkontakt. Die Nah-Infrarotspektroskopie (NIR) ist in Verbindung mit einer statistischen Analyse ein mögliches Verfahren zur Schnellbestimmung von Unterschieden in der Dauerhaftigkeit von Kernholz. Neuere Untersuchungen weisen darauf hin, dass ein Zusammenhang zwischen NIR-Spektren und einer Vielzahl verschiedener Holzeigenschaften einschließlich des Extraktstoffgehalts besteht. Allerdings gibt es nur wenige Informationen bezüglich der Eignung dieses Verfahrens zur Bestimmung der Fäuleresistenz insbesondere von Laubholz oder Hölzern mit hoher natürlicher Dauerhaftigkeit. In dieser Studie wird untersucht, inwieweit sich NIR zur Bestimmung des Extraktstoffgehalts sowie der Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Pilzbefall von Goncalo alves (Astronium graveolens) eignet. Mittels NIR-Spektroskopie konnte der warmwasserlösliche Extraktstoffgehalt in A. graveolens sowie deren Anfälligkeit für den Weißfäulepilz Trametes versicolor genau bestimmt werden. A. graveolens erwies sich als sehr resistent gegen Braunfäulebefall mit Gloeophyllum trabeum, wobei der Masseverlust anhand von NIR-Spektren nicht gut vorhergesagt werden konnte. Die NIR-Spektroskopie kann ein gutes Verfahren zur Schnellbestimmung des Extraktstoffgehalts und der Fäuleresistenz von natürlich dauerhaftem Holz sein.

Forest Ecology and Management, 2003

Extractives can have a major impact on the properties of heartwood; however, our understanding of... more Extractives can have a major impact on the properties of heartwood; however, our understanding of the process of heartwood formation and extractives production is limited and there are few data on how environment affects heartwood extractive content. This study assessed the relationship between growth ring width and extractive content of heartwood in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirbel] Franco) trees. The radial growth rates of the sampled trees were variable over their 53-61 years, in part, because of recent stand thinning treatment. The year that each heartwood increment was formed was estimated by assuming that the trees maintained the same number of growth rings of sapwood in the past as they had at the time of sampling. Growth ring width increased after the recent thinning and there was an associated increase in the extractive content of the heartwood estimated to have been formed at the same time. In addition, there appeared to be a rough correlation between growth ring width and extractive content in the time before the thinning. These results suggest that silvicultural treatments that affect growth rate may affect wood durability in Douglas-fir. #

$Research paper thumbnail of Effects of heartwood extractive fractions of Thuja plicata and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis on wood degradation by termites or fungi$

Journal of Wood Science, 2006

The effect of selective removal of extractives on termite or decay resistance was assessed with m... more The effect of selective removal of extractives on termite or decay resistance was assessed with matched samples of Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (D.Don) Spach heartwood. Samples were extracted using a variety of solvents and then exposed to the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki in a no-choice feeding test or to the brown-rot fungus Postia placenta (Fr.) M. Larsen & Lombard in a soil bottle test. At the same time, the effect of naturally occurring variations in heartwood extractives on termite or decay resistance was evaluated by testing samples from the inner and outer heartwood of five trees of each species against C. formosanus and P. placenta and analyzing matched wood samples for their extractive content. The results suggest that the methanol-soluble extractives in T. plicata and C. nootkatensis play an important role in heartwood resistance to attack by C. formosanus and P. placenta. Total methanol-soluble extractive content of the heartwood was positively correlated with both termite and decay resistance; however, there was much unexplained variation and levels of individual extractive components were only weakly correlated with one another. Further studies are under way to develop a better understanding of the relationships between individual extractive levels and performance.