Variability of wood fibres of mature pedunculate oak in flooded and non-flooded area

The paper deals with anatomical characteristics of wood fibres of Quercus robur L. Fiber length, double-cell wall thickness and fiber lumen diameter were analysed from samples in flooded and non-flooded area along Sava river in Serbia. All anatomical elements were measured from pith to bark in order to establish variation with cambial age, not only between researched sites, but also between individuals within each locality. In this study, there was no statistically significant difference only for mean values of fiber length between individual trees at non-flooded area, and in fiber lumen diameter at flooded area. Increasing of mean values of observed anatomical parameters with cambial age is valid for flooded area (MU „Grabovako-vitojevačko ostrvo 20e“), while for another locality (MU “Blata-Malovanci”) it is the case just for double-cell wall thickness. Mean values of all analysed anatomical elements are bigger in flooded area and this could be a consequence of more suitable ecological conditions for Quercus robur L. development present in this locality. Obtained variations show nonhomogeneous wood fibre features at both localities.

Impact of silvicultural measures on the quality of Scots pine wood. Part I. effect of regeneration method

This study deals with the influence of the silvicultural measures on selected mechanical properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood in the Czech Republic. Sample trees were selected at two different localities that are characteristic of Scots pine growth, and they represent two different Scots pine regeneration methods, namely the clear-cutting and shelterwood regeneration method. We tested compressive strength and impact bending strength. The density of the wood was also evaluated as a factor influencing strength characteristics. The shelterwood regeneration method shows higher values in most of the investigated characteristics (49.3 MPa for the shelterwood method and 44.6 MPa for the clear-cutting method in the case of compressive strength); however, these differences are not significant for the processing industry. Another positive effect of the shelterwood regeneration method is the even distribution of the properties within the trunk in radial direction in contrast to clear-cutting method.