Abstract
Concentrations of extractable total phenols and tannins have been analyzed in the outer bark, inner bark, sapwood, and heart wood from logs of four conifer species, after 1 year on the ground. To estimate decay rates, initial tissue densities were compared with those after 1 and 2 years of decomposition. The four species studied, Pacific silver fir (Abiesamabilis Dougl. ex Forbs), western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and western red cedar (Thujaplicata D. Don) represent a gradient of decay resistance. Within a species, outer bark contained the greatest quantities of extractable total phenols followed by inner bark, heart wood, and sapwood. Outer barks also had the highest extractable tannin concentrations. Woody tissues contained very low concentrations of tannin compared with the barks. Total phenol concentrations were highest in the heart wood of red cedar, the most resistant, and lowest in the heart wood of silver fir, the least resistant. There was no obvious relationship between tannins, in any tissues, and the resistance gradient. Density measurements indicated minimal decay in all tissues after 1 year. At 2 years, the inner barks of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, and silver fir had decreased significantly. In general, tissues with the highest extractable phenols appear to be decomposing most slowly.
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