Abstract
This study was aimed to investigate the morphologic, macroscopic, and microscopic description with the paper pulp quality index was determined to facilitate its increased use and to analyze the variation of wood properties. Among different morphological characteristics Q. aegilops registered mean height (13.63 m) and diameter (26.04 cm), while bark thickness represented from 7.2 to 15.6mm. Average bark and wood percent was noticed (8.22%) and (91.78%) of the total volume, with annual ring growth width (3.17mm) that considered a slow-growing species. The highest heartwood proportion of stem volume was 75.32% and the lowest 42.01% with a mean of 61.46%. The sapwood proportion ranged between 23.68 and 57.99% with a mean of 38.54%. While the values of anatomical properties were: The mean values of fiber length, fiber diameter, double cell wall thickness, and fiber lumen width were 1.01mm, 15.54µm, 6.288µm, and 9.25µm respectively. Moreover, the mean values of vessel length and vessel diameters were 0.54mm and 179.80µm respectively. Significant differences were found in the pulpwood quality indices for the paper samples, the means value of the runkel index was 0.86, while, slenderness index was 68.84, the coefficient of flexibility was 0.57, and the average value of the stiffness coefficient was 0.421. The fibers length more than1mm and cell well is thick accordingly are classified as good for paper. Based on its morphological and physical properties, Q. aegilops wood can be used in various wood manufactures. Based on the anatomical properties and pulp quality indices, this wood could be used to obtain cellulose pulp for paper production.
Highlights
Valonia oak (Quercus aegilops L.), is considered one of the most important, widespread, and native tree species in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Since knowledge of wood properties of Valonia oak is limited in Kurdistan region this study aimed to perform the macroscopic and microscopic anatomical description of Q. aegilops wood to facilitate its increased use and to analyze the variation of wood properties between and within trees, site-to-site differences to characterize their radial variation, and identify the demarcation strength between heartwood and sapwood for different characteristics, as a contribution to the technological knowledge of the wood in this species
This study leads to the following conclusions: 1- This species has thick bark and the bark thickness and percentage increase with increase the age and diameter of Oak trees 2- Sapwood and heartwood percentage varied between trees and influenced by tree diameter and tree ages. 3- Basic density and specific gravity are classified as heavy, hard, dense and strong wood. superior mechanical properties could be expected
Summary
Valonia oak (Quercus aegilops L.), is considered one of the most important, widespread, and native tree species in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This variation which are present can be related to radial or axial position of the wood sample either within an individual growth increment or over a series of growth increments within the tree, the suitability or quality of wood for a particular purpose is determined by the variability of one or more of these characteristics which affect its structure and its physical properties [34] This variation can result a l s o from population-level differences within a site and from site-to-site differences in wood [19, 21], but a main portion of the variability is often within the trees themselves [54]. The test trunk samples used for establishing the physical and anatomical properties were taken from the breast height
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
