The effects of initial tree spacing on the fibre properties of plantation-grown coastal western hemlock

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 2460-2468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Watson ◽  
Cameron Garner ◽  
Robin Robertson ◽  
Sandy Reath ◽  
Wai Gee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Kraft Pulp ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Fibre Properties ◽  
Cell Wall Properties

Fundamental wood and fibre properties determine end product quality potential. They are affected by silvicultural practices. Initial stand stocking density has significant economic implications for both forest managers and industrial end users. An evaluation of the wood density and fibre properties of 38-year-old coastal western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) planted at five different spacings was completed. We determined that the wood density was not affected by spacing. At the widest spacing, the outer wood fibre length was significantly shorter than at the four tighter spacings. Fibre coarseness and cell wall properties were similar at all spacings. This implies that wood chips prepared from a range of small-diameter thinnings material will not adversely affect kraft pulp fibre properties.

The potential of improving western hemlock pulp and paper quality. I. Genetic control and interrelationships of wood and fibre traits

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 863-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N King ◽  
C Cartwright ◽  
J Hatton ◽  
A D Yanchuk
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Family Effects ◽  
Heritability Estimates ◽  
Fibre Traits

This paper reports relationships between wood and fibre traits and investigates the potential for using genetic selection to improve traits that will increase both the yield and the value of the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) pulp wood resource. Strong family effects were present in the internal wood and fibre properties of relative wood density, average fibre length, and fibre coarseness. Heritability estimates for these traits ranged from 0.5 to 0.9. Heritability estimates for growth variables of height and diameter ranged from 0.15 to 0.2. Beside the moderate to high heritabilities for internal wood variables, coefficients of variation at the individual and family mean level ranged from 7.5to 13% and from 4 to 6.5%, respectively. Correlations at an individual phenotypic and genetic level showed adverse correlations between growth rate and both relative wood density (negative correlation) and fibre coarseness (positive correlation). A significant negative phenotypic correlation between relative wood density and coarseness would appear to be due to the fact that both traits were strongly correlated to growth rate. The partial correlation controlling for diameter between coarseness and diameter was nonsignificant. Power analysis demonstrated that pulp and fibre traits could beassessed effectively using as few as six individuals per family.

Wood-density variation of Norway spruce in relation to nutrient optimization and fibre dimensions

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harri Mäkinen ◽  
Pekka Saranpää ◽  
Sune Linder
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Annual Ring ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Cell Wall Thickness ◽  
Fibre Properties ◽  
The Absolute

The effect of fertilization on wood density, fibre length, fibre diameter, lumen diameter, proportion of cell wall area, and cell wall thickness of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) were studied in a nutrient optimization experiment in northern Sweden. On the fertilized plots, all essential macronutrients and micronutrients were supplied in irrigation water every second day during the growing season. After 12 years' treatment, data were collected from 24 trees (40 years old) on the fertilized and control plots. Fertilization increased radial growth more than threefold, especially earlywood width, and decreased wood density by over 20% at 1.3 and 4 m height. The decrease in wood density was closely related to the proportion of latewood. The absolute wood density also decreased across the whole annual ring but proportionately more in latewood than in earlywood. A close relationship was found between the wood density and fibre properties, especially with the proportion of cell wall in a cross section of each annual ring, as well as with fibre and lumen width. The absolute cell wall thickness was clearly less related to wood density. However, rather large variations were found between individual trees in the relationship between wood density and fibre properties.

Effects of release from suppression on wood functional characteristics in young Douglas-fir and western hemlock

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 2038-2046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi J Renninger ◽  
Barbara L Gartner ◽  
Frederick C Meinzer
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Specific Conductivity ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Growth Ring Width

Little is known of wood properties in trees that were initially suppressed and subsequently released from suppression. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in growth ring width, specific conductivity (Ks), tracheid dimensions, moisture content, and wood density in suppressed Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) trees and trees released from suppression averaging 12–18 years of age. Growth ring width was 370% higher for Douglas-fir and 300% higher for western hemlock trees released from suppression, and Ks was 182% higher for Douglas-fir and 42% higher for western hemlock trees released from suppression. Earlywood width was approximately four times greater after release in both species, whereas the relative increase in latewood width was much greater in Douglas-fir. Tracheids were 25% wider and 11% longer in released Douglas-fir trees. In western hemlock, released trees had 19% wider tracheids that were approximately the same length as those in suppressed trees. Moisture content was 66% greater in released Douglas-fir and 41% greater in released western hemlock. Wood density decreased by 21% in Douglas-fir trees and by 11% in western hemlock trees released from suppression. However, wood density of released trees did not differ from average reported values, implying that wood from released trees may be suitable for many of its traditional applications.

Differences in wood decay by Heterobasidion parviporum in cloned Norway spruce (Picea abies)

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Puentes Rodriguez ◽  
A. Zubizarreta Gerendiain ◽  
A. Pappinen ◽  
H. Peltola ◽  
P. Pulkkinen
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Wood Decay ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Fibre Properties ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Average Wood

In forest breeding, growth has been used as the main selection trait in Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.), whereas wood properties or resistance to pathogens have been taken as secondary traits. We aimed to investigate, in laboratory conditions, the rate of wood decay caused by Heterobasidion parviporum (Fr.) Niemelä & Korhonen (strains 5 and 7) in 20 Norway spruce clones. We also studied if, on average, growth, wood density, and fibre properties differed in the most and least decayed clones as well as from pith to bark. After 6 months of incubation, strain 7 effected significantly higher wood decay than strain 5 (mean 16.9% and 1.7%, respectively). The difference between the five most decayed and five least decayed clones by strain 7 was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, regardless of clone or strain, the wood decay was highest near the pith and lowest near the bark, which is the opposite for wood density and fibre length and width. However, neither wood density nor fibre properties explained, statistically, the differences in average wood decay and decay from pith to bark. On the other hand, we could identify clones that simultaneously provided high wood quantity and relatively high wood density and low decay rate.

Fibre properties of Norway spruce of different growth rates grown under birch shelterwoods of two densities

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Göran Bergqvist ◽  
Urban Bergsten ◽  
Bo Ahlqvist
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Kraft Pulp ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Strength Properties ◽  
Kraft Pulping ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Fibre Properties ◽  
The Difference

The effects of birch shelterwood density (0, 300, and 600 trees/ha) and growth rate on fibre and pulp properties of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) understorey (growing at 1500 trees/ha) were evaluated for a trial in the boreal coniferous forest, 58 years after establishment of the stand and 21 years after establishment of the trial. Microdensitometry was used to record variations in wood density, whereas fibre properties and kraft pulp strength properties were measured on laboratory-made batches of unbleached kraft pulp. The main conclusion of the investigation is that a birch shelterwood has only a minor influence on the wood and fibre properties of sheltered Norway spruce and that the resulting consequences for kraft pulping are moderate. Length-weighted mean fibre length was significantly affected only by growth rate. It was 1.75 mm, or 6-13% lower, for trees showing a low growth rate than for all other trees. Tensile index was already high before refining, 85-95 Nm g-1, and the increase due to beating was similar for all shelterwood densities and growth rate classes. At 2000 beating revolutions, there was a strong negative correlation between tear index and the proportion of fibres shorter than 0.20 mm. The volume of wood required to produce 1 t of kraft pulp was almost identical, 5.4 ± 0.1 m3 t-1, for sheltered and unsheltered spruce. Norway spruce growing without shelter produced more pulp per hectare in all fibre length classes, but the difference was greatest, 56-59% compared with sheltered spruce, for the longest fibres (i.e., longer than 3 mm).

Differences in fibre properties in cloned Norway spruce (Picea abies)

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1071-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zubizarreta Gerendiain ◽  
H. Peltola ◽  
P. Pulkkinen ◽  
R. Jaatinen ◽  
A. Pappinen
Keyword(s):  
Picea Abies ◽  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Wood Density ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Fibre Properties ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Width ◽  
Selection For

In forest breeding programmes, growth has typically been used as a selection trait of prime importance in Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.), whereas less attention has been given to the wood and fibre characteristics. In the above context, we investigated phenotypic relationships between different fibre properties and growth and wood density traits in 20 cloned Norway spruce based on a clonal trial established in the 1970s in southeastern Finland. We found that fibre width showed, on average (2.9%), the lowest phenotypic variation followed by fibre wall thickness (3.4%), coarseness (5.5%), and fibre length (8.1%). All of the phenotypic correlations between the fibre properties were also positive (p < 0.05), ranging from moderate to strong, suggesting that selection for one trait could simultaneously affect the other traits. The phenotypic correlations, on average, were quite weak but positive between growth and fibre properties and slightly negative or weak positive between wood density and different fibre properties (p < 0.05). Individually, some of the clones showed negative correlation between growth traits and fibre length. As a result, selection for fibre properties alone could also reduce overall stem volume (or stem mass) and would not directly indicate wood density traits and vice versa.

Growth ofPseudotsuga menziesiiandTsuga heterophyllaseedlings along a light gradient: resource allocation and morphological acclimation

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1424-1435 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mailly ◽  
J. P. Kimmins
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Morphology ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Light Gradient ◽  
Relative Light Intensity

Silvicultural alternatives that differ in the degree of overstory removal may create shady environments that will be problematic for the regeneration of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Gradients of light in the field were used to compare mortality, growth, and leaf morphological acclimation of two conifer species of contrasting shade tolerances: Douglas-fir and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.). Results after two growing seasons indicated that Douglas-fir mortality occurred mainly at relative light intensity (RLI) below 20%, while western hemlock mortality was evenly distributed along the light gradient. Height, diameter, and biomass of the planted seedlings increased with increasing light for both species but at different rates, and maximum biomass accumulation always occurred in the open. Douglas-fir allocated more resources to stem biomass than western hemlock, which accumulated more foliage biomass. Increases in specific leaf area for Douglas-fir seedlings occurred at RLI ≤ 0.4 and red/far red (R/FR) ratio ≤ 0.6, which appear to be the minimal optimum light levels for growth. Conversely, western hemlock seedlings adjusted their leaf morphology in a more regular pattern, and changes were less pronounced at low light levels. These results, along with early mortality results for Douglas-fir, suggest that the most successful way to artificially regenerate this species may be by allowing at least 20% of RLI for ensuring survival and at least 40% RLI for optimum growth. Key words: light, light quality, leaf morphology, acclimation.

TOXICITY OF SMOKE FROM SPOROPHORES OF THE INDIAN PAINT FUNGUS AND WOOD FROM WESTERN HEMLOCK TO YELLOWFEVER MOSQUITOES

1987 ◽  
Vol 119 (12) ◽  
pp. 1109-1115
Author(s):  
W.P.L. Osborn ◽  
J.H. Borden
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Combustion Products ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Aqueous Extracts ◽  
Smoke Water

AbstractTo mitigate the effects of mosquitoes, settlers in the Revelstoke area of British Columbia reportedly burned the sporophores of the Indian paint fungus, Echinodontium tinctorium (Ell. & Ev.) Ell. & Ev., a pathogen of western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg., and true firs, Abies spp. Larval and adult yellowfever mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (L.), were exposed to aqueous extracts of smoke (smoke-waters) from E. tinctorium sporophores, and from western hemlock sapwood and heartwood. Smoke-waters were of approximately equal toxicity to larvae. Fungus smoke-water, but not sapwood or heartwood smoke-waters, lost 50% of its potency in 5 months. Vapors from fungus smoke-water were significantly more toxic to adult mosquitoes than those from sapwood or heartwood. Thus smoke from E. tinctorium sporophores and T. heterophylla wood apparently contain different water-soluble combustion products toxic to A. aegypti.

Genotype × shade effects for western hemlock

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1496-1501
Author(s):  
G R Johnson ◽  
C Cartwright
Keyword(s):  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Different Levels

Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) families were grown under different levels of shade for 2 or 3 years at two nursery sites to determine whether families performed differently relative to one another in the different shade environments. Differences were found both for levels of shade and families, but no family × shade interaction was found. Results suggest that families selected in full-sun environments (clearcuts or farm fields) may be well suited for use in silvicultural systems where seedlings are planted in understory conditions.

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