Time-related changes in specific gravity and moisture content of spruce budworm killed balsam fir

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P. Barnes ◽  
Steven A. Sinclair

The variation in specific gravity and moisture content of healthy balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) and balsam fir killed by the spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana Clem.) in northern Minnesota has been investigated. Disks were removed at 100-in. (254-cm) intervals along the merchantable boles of 31 healthy trees, 16 trees dead 6 months, 42 trees dead 12months, and 18 trees dead 22 months. Knot-free wedges were cut from the disks and separated into inner and outer sections for specific gravity and moisture content determinations. Outer and inner sections' specific gravity averages for healthy (control) balsam fir varied within tree, decreasing then increasing with height. This trend was not apparent for the outer section specific gravity averages in the dead tree categories. Average specific gravities for the four tree categories were not significantly different even 22 months after death. Tree categories' average moisture content rapidly decreased with time after death, and significant differences were detected within months of tree death. Significant outer section moisture losses occurred within 6 months after death, while significant inner section losses developed after 12 or more months.

1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 515-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Pominville ◽  
Stéphane Déry ◽  
Louis Bélanger

An outbreak of spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), occurred between 1974 and 1987, in Quebec, in the eastern balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill, - yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis Britton, ecoclimatic sub-domain. The effect of this disruption has been assessed in mesic balsam fir stands killed during the outbreak, in mesic balsam fir stands partially damaged and in the following stands, also partially damaged: mesic yellow birch – balsam fir stands, mesic white birch, Betulapapyrifera Marsh., - balsam fir stands, mesic balsam fir – yellow birch stands, mesic balsam fir – white birch stands and xeric balsam fir stands. To that effect, surveys were led before, immediately after, and about five years after the outbreak in two blocks that have not been protected with insecticides. These blocks, located in Charlevoix and in Shipshaw management units, are second growth stands originating from clearcuts which occured about 50 years ago. Approximately five years after the outbreak, abundant coniferous regeneration was found everywhere except in the mesic yellow birch –balsam fir stand and in the dead mesic balsam fir stand, where softwood represented less than 50% of the regeneration. On the other hand, young softwood stems were located under the regeneration of white birch and of mountain maple, Acer spicatum Lam, in dead balsam fir stands, in balsam fir – white birch stands, as well as in living balsam fir stands and under mountain maple in yellow birch – balsam fir stands and in balsam fir – yellow birch stands. Our age structures indicate that softwood advance growth was relatively rare in these stands. Thus, during the opening of the canopy by the spruce budworm, intolerant hard-woods and shrubs invaded the still available microsites. In the dead balsam fir stands, stocking of the dominant hardwood regeneration stems is equivalent to that of softwood. Thus, dead balsam fir stands are turning to mixed stands. Xeric stands will remain softwood stands since they show luxuriant softwood regeneration dominating in height. In the other stands, we will have to wait the harvest period before we can adequately assess succession.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Mohd Helmy Ibrahim ◽  
Mohd Nazip Suratman ◽  
Razali Abd Kader

Trees planted from agroforestry practices can become valuable resources in meeting the wood requirements of many nations. Gliricidia sepium is an exotic species introduced to the agricultural sector in Malaysia mainly for providing shade for cocoa and coffee plantations. This study investigates its wood physical properties (specific gravity and moisture content) and fibre morphology (length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness) of G. sepium at three intervals according to age groups ( three, five and seven years of ages). Specific gravity (0.72) was significantly higher at seven years ofage as compared to five (0.41) and three (0.35) years age group with a mean of 0.43 (p<0.05). Mean moisture content was 58.3% with no significant difference existing between the tree age groups. Fibre diameter (22.4 mm) was significantly lower (p<0.05) for the trees which were three years of age when compared to five and seven years age groups (26.6 mm and 24. 7 mm), respectively. Means of fibre length, lumen diameter and cell wall thickness were 0.83 mm, 18.3 mm, and 6.2 mm, respectively, with no significant differences detected between trees in all age groups. Further calculation on the coefficient of suppleness and runkel ratio suggest that wood from G.sepium may have the potential for insulation board manufacturing and paper making. However, future studies should experiment the utilisation of this species for these products to determine its full potential.


2021 ◽  
Vol 496 ◽  
pp. 119408
Author(s):  
Djidjoho Julien Houndode ◽  
Cornelia Krause ◽  
Hubert Morin
Keyword(s):  

2015 ◽  
Vol 773-774 ◽  
pp. 1438-1442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Aimi Nadia Mohd Yusoff ◽  
I. Bakar ◽  
Devapriya Chitral Wijeyesekera ◽  
Adnan Zainorabidin ◽  
Aziman Madun

This paper compares some geotechnical properties of Kaolin, Laterite and Peat. Laterite was collected from Bukit Banang while Peat sample was collected from Parit Nipah, both locations were in Batu Pahat, Johor. Meanwhile, kaolin that was used in this research was manufactured kaolin. These soil samples were subjected to routine laboratory analysis and resulting data were analyzed statistically using a correlation analysis. A laboratory testing program consists of “Basic properties test” to obtain general information on the materials (e.g Natural moisture content, Atterberg Limit, Specific gravity, grain size analysis, chemical composition and pH) and “Geotechnical properties tests” to measure specific properties that characterize soil behaviour for design and constructability assessments (e.g Standard Proctor Test, Unconfined Compressive Strength and CBR).The results showed that the Natural/initial moisture content for laterite, peat and kaolin is 22.54%, 480.61% and 0.22% respectively. Meanwhile Specific gravity for each soil was in the range 1.50-2.79.It was also found that the pH of all soil is acidic which lay in the range of 3.76-5.95.The UCS for the optimally compacted sample of laterite is 445.77 kPa, kaolin is 199.23 kPa and for peat is 58.70 kPa. This paper summarizes the result of analysis performed on all tests conducted. Based on the results, the geotechnical property of the soil is a highly dependent with the type of soil and therefore, determining the soil characterization and the soil strength should be considered during the planning phase of any earthwork construction operation.


1961 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Pilon ◽  
J. R. Blais

Nearly all forest regions in the Province of Quebec where balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) is an important tree component have been subjected to severe defoliation by the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), during the past 20 years. These outbreaks have followed an easterly direction beginning near the Ontario-Quebec border in 1939 and ending in the Gaspé Peninsula in 1958.


1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 1620-1628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong Su ◽  
Ted D. Needham ◽  
David A. MacLean

Changing stand composition by increasing hardwood content has been suggested as a long-term method for reducing susceptibility and vulnerability of balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) to spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)). Twenty-five mixed balsam fir–hardwood stands were selected in northern New Brunswick, with five stands in each 20% hardwood class (0–20, 21–40%, etc.). Defoliation each year from 1989 to 1993 was significantly (p < 0.0001) related to hardwood content, with r2 ranging from 0.57 to 0.81. As hardwood content increased, defoliation of balsam fir decreased. From 1989 to 1992, the years of moderate to severe defoliation, balsam fir stands with <40% hardwoods sustained 58–71% defoliation, on average, versus 12–15% defoliation in stands with >80% hardwood. A generalized model combining hardwood content and the estimated defoliation in pure softwood stands in a given year explained 77% of the variation in defoliation over stands and years. This study indicated that mixed balsam fir–hardwood stand management, with hardwood content >40%, could substantially reduce losses during spruce budworm outbreaks. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism involved, but our working hypothesis is that greater hardwood content increased the diversity or populations of natural enemies such as birds and parasitoids.


2011 ◽  
Vol 312-315 ◽  
pp. 971-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Barbosa da Silva ◽  
G. Silva Almeida ◽  
W.C.P. Barbosa de Lima ◽  
Gelmires Araújo Neves ◽  
Antônio Gilson Barbosa de Lima

The Aim of this Work Is to Present a Three-Dimensional Mathematical Modelling to Predict Heat and Mass Transport inside the Industrial Brick with Rectangular Holes during the Drying Including Shrinkage and Hygrothermalelastic Stress Analysis. the Numerical Solution of the Diffusion Equation, Being Used the Finite-Volume Method, Considering Constant Thermo-Physical Properties and Convective Boundary Conditions at the Surface of the Solid, it Is Presented and Analyzed. Results of the Temperature, Moisture Content and Stress Distributions, and Drying and Heating Kinetics Are Shown and Analyzed. Results of the Average Moisture Content and Surface Temperature of the Brick along the Drying Process Are Compared with Experimental Data (T = 80.0oC and RH = 4.6 %) and Good Agreement Was Obtained. it Was Verified that the Largest Temperature, Moisture Content and Stress Gradients Are Located in the Intern and External Vertexes of the Brick.


1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. McRae

Recent spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clem.]) infestations have resulted in widespread areas of balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.) mortality in Ontario, and there is growing interest in reestablishing these areas quickly as productive forests. One technique being used is prescribed fire after a salvage and bulldozer tramping operation. A 445-ha prescribed burn was carried out under moderate fire danger conditions in northern Ontario. The site, which was covered by balsam fir fuel that had been killed by spruce budworm, was tramped to improve fire spread. Weather, fuel consumption, and fire effects are reported. The burn effectively reduced heavy surface fuel loadings and consequently planting on the site was easier. Key words: Prescribed burning, fire, spruce budworm. Choristoneura fumiferana, balsam fir, Abies balsamea, fuel consumption, site preparation, tramping, stand conversion.


Holzforschung ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Liu ◽  
A.W.C. Lee

Summary This study was conducted to explore basic physical and mechanical properties of parallel strand lumber (PSL) made exclusively from southern pine and yellow-poplar, respectively, and to examine their relationships using statistical analysis. Small specimens were prepared from commercial southern pine PSL and yellow-poplar PSL billets and tested for specific gravity, moisture content, dimensional stability, bending properties, shear strength and compressive strength. Results indicate average specific gravity of southern pine PSL is higher than that of yellow-poplar PSL, while their average moisture content and dimensional stability are very similar. Southern pine PSL has higher average modulus of elasticity but lower average modulus of rupture than yellow-poplar PSL. While average longitudinal shear strength does not exhibit differences between southern pine PSL and yellow-poplar PSL, average compressive strength of southern pine PSL is higher than that of yellow-poplar PSL. There are positive correlations among modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and specific gravity. PSL improves some properties of solid wood from which PSL is made.


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