Abstract
A characterization of wood species was made by analyzing almost 9000 museum objects which still carry the handwriting of former craftsmen. In total 48 different wood species could be distinguished, including 17 shrub species. In the next step, every part of museum inventory with a given wood species was connected to its required wood properties in use and technological demands. In this way, every wood species was characterized by its former utilization. It was found, that many wood species which are not in use anymore were highly appreciated. Many shrubs were used because of their high density, which provides also hardness and good resistance against abrasion. Some fruit-bearing trees would be worth utilizing in a more sophisticated and specialized way as they are used today. Most species are highly specialized and show individual wood properties, which becomes clear by focusing on how they were utilized.
Highlights
In Austria, the choice of commercially available native wooden species includes approximately 24 species [1]— considerably less than what is indigenous in the forests
A characterization of wood species was made by analyzing almost 9000 museum objects which still carry the handwriting of former craftsmen
Every part of museum inventory with a given wood species was connected to its required wood properties in use and technological demands
Summary
In Austria, the choice of commercially available native wooden species includes approximately 24 species [1]— considerably less than what is indigenous in the forests. It is common knowledge that, based on differing material properties, different wood species like for example oak (Quercus spp.) and popular (Populus spp.) cannot be used in the same field of application. Some properties are so much diverse that these two wood species have to be handled like two different materials. We have to be aware of the whole range of properties that can be covered by all available wood species, to exhaust the full potential of wooden materials. More than 60 % of the Austrian forest area is covered by Norway spruce (Picea abies) [1]. This silvicultural strategy is stretched to its limit. The cultivation of a higher variety of wooden species would give a chance to a more sustainable forestry [2]
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