Abstract
The microtensile properties of mechanically isolated compression wood (CW) and opposite wood (OW) tracheids of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) were investigated and discussed with respect to their structure. Major differences in the tensile modulus and ultimate tensile stress were found between CW and OW fibers. Compared to OW, CW showed a larger cellulose microfibril angle, less cellulose content and probably more pits, resulting in lower tensile properties. These findings contribute to a further understanding of the structural–mechanical relationships of Chinese fir wood at the cell and cell wall level, and provide a scientific basis for better utilization of plantation softwood.
Highlights
Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is one of the main commercial plantation conifer tree species in China
The low microfibril angle (MFA) of opposite wood (OW) are in a similar range compared to the normal heartwood of six Chinese fir clones which ranged from 10.47° to 13.18° [29]
compression wood (CW) showed a higher MFA than OW, which is associated with environmental stimuli such as slope, winds, or other external forces [30, 31]
Summary
Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is one of the main commercial plantation conifer tree species in China. Conifers consist mainly of axial tracheids, serving for support and for transport of water and dissolved minerals. Their anatomical structure, chemical composition and the spatial arrangement of polymers in the wood cell wall determines their mechanical properties. Information about the micromechanics of single tracheids can be helpful to deepen our understanding of the structural–mechanical relationships of wood at the cell and cell wall level. Considerable differences in the micro- and ultrastructure of wood tracheids have been found between compression wood (CW), opposite wood (OW), normal wood or juvenile wood [1,2,3,4].
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