A Non-Destructive Prediction Method for Wood Density Variations of Silver Birch Trees Growing in the Middle Volga Region, Russia

Vladimir Ilyich Fedyukov,Musikhina Lydmila Anatolyevna,Maria Sergeyevna Chernova,Nikita Andreyevich Magalyas,Olga Viktorovna Tsoy

doi:10.15177/seefor.20-09

Vladimir Ilyich Fedyukov, Musikhina Lydmila Anatolyevna + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15177/seefor.20-09

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Abstract

The density of wood inside the stick varies greatly according to the diameter and height of the tree. The development of a non-destructive method of predicting an average density of wood in all specific breed stem-base density in parts of the tree is of great practical importance. For this purpose, the research was conducted to identify the patterns of wood density dynamics against the height and the diameter of birch trees growing in the conditions of the Middle Volga Region in Russia. Fourteen model birch trees (Betula pendula) were selected as research material on two plots in the plantations of the Scientific-Experimental Forest District of the Volga State University of Technology (VSUT) in the Republic of Mari El of Russia. From each felled model tree 50.0 mm cross-section discs were carved at a distance of 1.3 m from the root collar and at relative heights of 0.25H, 0.5H, and 0.75H. Prototypes in the form of 20x20x30 mm rectangular prisms (long side along the wood grain) were made from their north and south sides at a distance of 0.25R, 0.5R and 0.75R from the stem core along the NS diagonal. Density studies were conducted by measuring the density of the wood sample immersed in liquid against the buoyant force. It has been revealed that there are both differences and patterns of change in density in the longitudinal and cross-section directions of the trunk of a birch tree growing in the conditions of the Middle Volga Region in Russia. Based on the results obtained, a mathematical model of these laws has been formulated. Сlose relationship between the average density of the stick and its diameter at breast height (DBH) cross-section average density, i.e. ρtree=178.52+0.641ρdbh (r=0.922) has been revealed. By applying a well-known method of determining the density of cross-section radial core extracted from the wood by an age borer at this height, wood density of the birch trees growing in the Middle Volga Region can be calculated according to this equation.

Highlights

Scientists and experts from many countries across the world are engaged in the research of wood density of different species of growing trees and timber (Heräjärvi 2004, Repola 2006, Missanjo and Matsumura 2016, Beets et al 2018, Lachowicz et al 2019, Farias et al 2020)
Up to the 1970s in Russia, no particular importance has been given to the research of the technical properties of wood, when wood raw material was in excess, and its cost was negligible
Birch stands of natural origin served as the object of the research on the territory of the Scientific-Experimental Forest District of the Volga State University of Technology (VSUT)

Summary

Introduction

Scientists and experts from many countries across the world are engaged in the research of wood density of different species of growing trees and timber (Heräjärvi 2004, Repola 2006, Missanjo and Matsumura 2016, Beets et al 2018, Lachowicz et al 2019, Farias et al 2020) This indicator has gained fundamental importance in tackling global environmental problems, namely, in biomass inventory and carbon balance monitoring in various terrestrial ecosystems (Beets et al 2018, Farias et al 2020). The situation changed dramatically, as an acute shortage of highquality wood raw material was felt in the European part of the country This initiated the execution of research work (Poluboyarinov 1976, Denisov 1999, Golyakov 2003, Kozlov et al 2009, Danilov 2016, Platonov et al 2018)

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