QLK5-2000-00177 Compression wood in conifers - the characterisation of its formation and its relevance to timber quality

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Website: www.forestry.gov.uk/compressionwood
Summary Information



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Contract No:	QLK5-2000-00177
Source:	First Progress Report - June 2002 - Abstract

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First Progress Report - June 2002 - Abstract

Objectives

Compression wood is a type of reaction wood that forms in conifers on the underside of leaning stems, on the leeward side of trees exposed to strong winds, in crooked stems and in the lower part of trees growing on a slope. The structure and chemical composition of compression wood differ from those of normal wood. These differences result in a deterioration of mechanical properties (strength and stiffness) and increased drying distortion. Compression wood can be a cause of major problems in the wood processing industry.

The overall aim of this project is to obtain a long-term improvement in the quality of European softwood timber products, in terms of mechanical properties and geometrical stability related to the occurrence of compression wood. The species being studied are Norway spruce, Sitka spruce, Scots pine and European larch. The project has ten participating organisations representing research institutes and industry partners in Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Sweden.

The key elements of the project are:

• To improve and standardise methods for identifying and quantifying the presence of compression wood, from the laboratory through to the industrial level
• To increase understanding of the way in which compression wood is formed in relation to stem form, site factors and silvicultural practices
• To develop models and decision support tools predicting the occurrence and distribution of compression wood within individual tree stems and between trees growing under different site and silvicultural conditions
• To develop silvicultural strategies to minimise the development of compression wood in growing trees
• To develop industrial processing techniques to minimise the impact of compression wood on end-product performance.

Results and Milestones

During the first twelve months of the Compression Wood project the majority of work has been concentrated in two main areas:

• Fieldwork to obtain stand measurements and timber samples
• The development of protocols, methodologies and equipment for the characterisation of compression wood in samples at both the industrial and the laboratory level.

A total of 30 sample stands have been identified representing variations in slope, wind exposure, spacing, age and silvicultural system. Site, stand and sample tree characterisation has been completed according to an agreed protocol in two-thirds of the sample stands, as shown in the table below. 240 sample trees have been felled and sample discs cut, for laboratory studies, while a further 138 trees have been felled and logs extracted for industrial evaluation.

Species	Country	No. of sites/stands	No. assessed to date	Variables being studied
Sitka spruce Norway spruce Norway spruce Norway spruce European larch European larch Scots pine Scots pine Scots pine	Britain Sweden Germany France Italy Germany Finland Sweden Britain	8 2 4 4 2 2 4 2 2	6 - 2 2 - 4 2 4 -	Wind exposure, slope & spacing Age/species mixture Wind exposure and silviculture Slope Natural and plantation Age and silviculture Spacing Age Spacing
Total		30	20

A review of literature relating to the detection and classification of compression wood has been undertaken. A preliminary system for classifying compression wood severity in cross-sectional discs, based on a visual assessment of wood colour, has been agreed for use within the project. Trials of various image analysis software packages, which facilitate semi-automated analysis of the compression wood content of sample material, have been successfully completed.

Techniques and equipment to characterise compression wood at the laboratory level in terms of anatomy, ultrastructure, biochemistry and mechanical properties have been developed and tested. The methodologies successfully used in pilot studies include x-ray densitometry, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffractometry.

At the industrial scale sample logs have been sawn into battens and kiln dried in collaboration with industrial partners. Assessments of drying distortion have been made and preliminary mechanical testing of sawn timber has begun.

Initial work modelling the distribution of compression wood has included a pilot study to test a model predicting the location of compression wood within a tree on the basis of external stem shape. External log geometry variables from 3D images of scanned logs have also been used to develop a model of compression wood distribution within sawlogs.

Benefits and Beneficiaries

Close collaboration with industry and wide dissemination of project results are key elements of the Compression Wood project. Work has been carried out both collectively by all participants and separately in each of the participating countries to liase with the forest industry and publicise the ongoing activities within the project. A website (see above for address) providing an overview of the project and contact details for all participants, was established at an early stage.

In order to gauge the awareness within industry of compression wood as a timber defect, and to assess the perception of its effects on utilisation, a questionnaire has been devised and will be widely distributed in the participating countries. The results of this questionnaire will be summarised in a common report to provide an overview of the impact of compression wood on end-use at a European level. A number of other initiatives have been taken to publicise the project and obtain feedback through seminars, newsletters, end-user groups and articles in relevant publications.

Existing knowledge and expertise have been rationalised and combined within this project to bring a common approach to the subject of compression wood across a range of species growing in different site conditions in countries throughout Europe. The results and conclusions that will be generated during the remainder of the project will, therefore, be widely applicable both within the scientific community and in industry.

Innovative techniques using new methods and equipment have been developed for the characterisation of compression wood, and these will be available for subsequent application in other areas of wood science. The linking of detailed evaluation at the laboratory level to industrial processing and the impact of compression wood on the mechanical properties and drying behaviour of sawn timber, will facilitate optimised utilisation of the European softwood resource and improve financial return.

Future Actions

During the next 12 months the remainder of the sample stands will be assessed and logs and discs cut for evaluation. The majority of laboratory and industrial experimental work will be completed and the information obtained will be used in the development of prototype compression-wood distribution models. Close liaison with industry and wide dissemination of results will continue to be a key element of the project.