Treesearch

Wood-based composite panels generally are first tested out-of-plane in the primarypanel directionfollowed by the cross panel direction, but rarely edgewise. While most applications use wood-based composites in the flat-wise orientation and only need the out-of-plane properties, there are construction configurations where edgewise properties are needed for improved design configurations. A square cantilever beam was used to determine the apparent stiffness (EI) and modulus of elasticity (E ) differences for 3 wood-based composite panel materials. Specimens were cut along the primary panel...

The prosecution of illegal logging crimes is hampered by a lack of available forensic timber identification tools, both for screening of suspectmaterial and definitive identification of illegally sourcedwood. Reputable timber traders are also struggling to police their own supply chains and comply with the growing requirement for due diligence with respect to timber origins and legality. A range of scientific methods have been developed independently with the potential to provide the required identification information, but little attention has been given to how these tools can be applied...

Glacial deposition and fluvial/lacustrine sedimentation interact over terrains in central New York State to preserve a history of geological and hydrological events as well as hydroclimatic transitions. The lower reach of Fish Creek draining the eastern watershed of Oneida Lake, NY, is an area with prominent wood remains. This study explores a collection of 52 logs encased in organic-rich deposits exposed by bank erosion at three locations along Fish Creek near Sylvan Beach, NY, with respect to radiocarbon ages, species, and the crossdating potential of tree rings. Radiocarbon ages and...

Extracts from sawdust of four naturally durable wood species [Alaskan yellow cedar, AYC, Cupressus nootkanansis D. Don 1824; eastern red cedar, ERC, Juniperus virginiana L.; honey mesquite, HM, Prosopis glandulosa Torr.; and black locust, BL, Robinia pseudoacacia L.] were used to treat southern pine, Pt, Pinus taeda L. sapwood blocks. Extractive treated blocks were evaluated for decay resistance in standard soil bottle fungal assays challenged with brown and white rot decay fungi. Results showed that extractives did impart some improvement to decay resistance of Pt blocks. BL- and HM-treate...

Extractives are low molecular weight compounds and regarded as nonstructural wood constituents. These compounds are present in trees and can be extracted by organic solvents. Extractives consist of several classes of compounds that diversify the biological function of the tree. Fats are an energy source for the wood cells whereas terpenoids, resin acids, and phenolic substances protect the wood against microbial damage or insects. In this investigation, extractives from five softwoods and four hardwoods were separated into nonpolar and polar components. The softwoods used were southern...

The Rocky Mountains and western U.S. forests are impacted by the infestation of mountain pine beetles (MPB). MPB outbreak is killing pine and spruce trees at an alarming rate. These trees present a fuel build-up in the forest, which can result in catastrophic wildland fires. MPB carry blue-stain fungi from the genus Ophiostoma and transmit infection by burrowing into trees to lay eggs. Once attacked by a pine beetle, the host tree produces resinous compounds around the burrow in an effort to kill the invading insect. Mortality rate of the trees is less than one year. Lodgepole pine acetone...

Wood failure percentage (WFP) is an important index for evaluating the bond strength of plywood. Currently, the method used for detecting WFP is visual inspection, which lacks efficiency. In order to improve it, image processing methods are applied to wood failure detection. The present study used thresholding and K-means clustering algorithms in wood failure detection, and four kinds of plywood were manufactured to analyze the influences of wood species and adhesive. Results show that the detection by K-means clustering method is more accurate than thresholding method; it could better...

Research is being conducted to evaluate potential preservatives to replace zinc naphthenate (ZnN) for use in dip-treatment of wooden packaging materials. In this study, laboratory tests evaluated the efficacy of preservatives in protecting Southern pine and yellow poplar against decay fungi and termites. Nine preservatives were evaluated at one or two concentrations, and in some cases with two dip times. The results of this study indicate that higher concentrations of most of the preservatives evaluated will provide protection similar to or greater than that of ZnN. Four of the formulations...

Manufacturers of wood plastic composites (WPCs) have recently introduced capped decking to their product lines. These new materials have begun to take market share from the previous generation of uncapped products that possessed a homogenous composition throughout the thickness of their cross-section. These capped offerings have been introduced with claims that the pure polymer cap provides protection to the wood/polymer interior, helps keep the composite core dry preventing water ingress and protects it from weathering and issues associated with biological degradation. This paper briefly...