Effect of thinning and fertilizer on the cellulose crystallite width of Eucalyptus globulus

Abstract

An analysis of cellulose crystallite width, microfibril angle and wood density after the time of thinning (at 8 years) in straight vertical trees was undertaken in a 13-year-old E. globulus trial designed to assess the effect of thinning on tension wood formation. The most important effect was on cellulose crystallite width, which increased with thinning intensity and this was mitigated where fertilizer was applied at the time of thinning. Given the relationship between high crystallite width and tension wood occurrence the results demonstrate that heavy thinning of E. globulus at this age can contribute to tension wood formation. However, tension wood production may be significantly reduced where fertilizer is applied. This is possibly because increased diameter growth as a response to fertilizer application stabilises the stems and this is the mechanism by which trees cope with internal stresses that are generated from wind in destabilsed stands following thinning. In contrast, trees that respond poorly to thinning produce tension wood.