Treesearch

The effect of light stabilizer’s addition method into wood-plastic composites (WPCs), i.e., surface versus bulk, on their photostability was evaluated. Blends of ultraviolet absorbers (benzotriazole or hydroxyphenyltriazine) with a hindered amine light stabilizer were used as the stabilizing additives. Both unstabilized and photostabilized uncapped (control) samples, as well as coextruded WPCs counterparts, were exposed to up to 3000 h of accelerated artificial weathering. The light transmittance, surface morphology, and color of the samples before and after weathering were analyzed by...

Cross-laminated timber ( CLT) is defined as a prefabricated solid engineered wood product made of at least three orthogonally bonded layers of solid-sawn lumber or structural composite lumber (SCL) that are laminated by gluing oflongitudinal and transverse layers with structural adhesives to form a solid rectangular-shaped, straight, and plane timber intended for roof, floor, or wall applications (see Figure 1). While this engineered wood product has been used in Europe for over 15 years, the production of CLT and design of CLT structural systems have just begun in North America with some...

Cross-laminated timber ( CLT), a new generation of engineered wood product developed initially in Europe, has been gaining increased popularity in residential and non-residential applications in several countries. Many impressive low- and mid-rise buildings built around the world using CLT showcase the many advantages this product has to offer to the construction sector.

Accurate and timely product costing information is critically important for companies in planning the optimal utilization of company resources. While an overestimation of product costs can lead to loss of potential business and market share, underestimation of product costs can result in financial losses to the company. This article introduces a product costing program called WoodCite that was specifically developed for small and medium-sized hardwood dimension and components manufacturers. WoodCite is a Microsoft Access application that allows companies to determine product costs and to...

American Indian and Alaska Native tribes are uniquely affected by climate change. Indigenous peoples have depended on a wide variety of native fungi, plant and animal species for food, medicine, ceremonies, community and economic health for countless generations. Climate change stands to impact the species and ecosystems that constitute tribal traditional foods that are vital to tribal culture, economy and traditional ways of life. This paper examines the impacts of climate change on tribal traditional foods by providing cultural context for the importance of traditional foods to tribal...

Determining the size and location of surface defects is crucial to evaluating the potential yield and value of hardwood logs. Recently a surface defect detection algorithm was developed using the Java language. This algorithm was developed around an earlier laser scanning system that had poor resolution along the length of the log (15 scan lines per foot). A newer laser scanning system was constructed that had much greater resolution (192 scan lines per foot) along the logs' length. The increased resolution and the slower processing speed of the Java-based algorithm required a new approach....

It is a challenge to use collars on male cervids because their neck size can increase substantially during the rut and also because of growth as the animal matures. We describe how to build a self-adjusting expandable collar for yearling or adult male Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) to which very high frequency transmitters and global positioning system (GPS) units can be attached. We evaluated performance and durability of 35 expandable collars placed on male elk from 2009 through 2011 within the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range enclosure, Northeast Oregon, USA. Twenty-four (69%)...

In early 2012, APA-The Engineered Wood Association conducted studies of three industries: institutional furniture, motor homes, and travel trailers and campers. The survey procedure was the same as that used by APA for many years. Lists of individual manufacturers were purchased, a telephone interviewing company was hired to administer a questionnaire, and APA processed the data to estimate total wood product volumes used by each industry and provide additional insights for each. A few problems were encountered with this research procedure including poor quality lists, difficulty in...

Estimation of large area forest attributes, such as area of forest cover, from remote sensing-based maps is challenging because of image processing, logistical, and data acquisition constraints. In addition, techniques for estimating and compensating for misclassification and estimating uncertainty are often unfamiliar. Forest area for the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil was estimated from each of four satellite image-based land cover maps, and an independent estimate was obtained using observations of forest/non-forest for more than 1000 points assessed as part of the Santa...

In northeastern Sonora, isolated Sky Island mountain ranges with desertscrub, desert grassland, oak woodland, and pine-oak forest have high biodiversity. El Aribabi Conservation Ranch in the Sierra Azul (from 30°51’13”N, 110°41’9”W to 30°46’38”N, 110°32’3”W) was designated a Private Protected Natural Area by the Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas in March 2011. The flora contains 447 taxa in 81 families and 301 genera. The most diverse families are Asteraceae (63 taxa, 14.1%), Poaceae (41 taxa, 9.2%), Fabaceae (36 taxa, 8.1%), Euphorbiaceae (18 taxa, 4.1%), Cactaceae (13 taxa,...