Abstract
Advancing climate change is affecting the health and vitality of forests in many parts of the world. Europe is currently facing spruce bark beetle outbreaks, which are most often caused by wind disturbances, hot summers, or lack of rainfall and are having a massive economic impact on the forestry sector. The aim of this research article was to summarize current scientific knowledge about the structure and physical and mechanical properties of wood from bark beetle-attacked trees. Spruce stands are attacked by a number of beetles, of which Ips typographus is the most common and widespread in Central Europe. When attacking a tree, bark beetles introduce ophiostomatoid fungi into the tree, which then have a greater effect on the properties of the wood than the beetles themselves. Fungal hyphae grow through the lumina of wood cells and spread between individual cells through pits. Both white rot and brown rot fungi are associated with enzymatic degradation of lignin or holocellulose, which is subsequently reflected in the change of the physical and mechanical properties of wood. Wood-decay fungi that colonize wood after infestation of a tree with bark beetles can cause significant changes in the structure and properties of the wood, and these changes are predominantly negative, in the form of reducing modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, discolouration, or, over time, weight loss. In certain specific examples, a reduction in energy consumption for the production of wood particles from beetle-attacked trees, or an increase in surface free energy due to wood infestation by staining fungi in order to achieve better adhesion of paints or glues, can be evaluated positively.
Highlights
Many studies have dealt with the issue of tree infestation by beetles of the genus Scolytinae
From the point of view of wood structure, only a few millimetres of sapwood around the trunk circumference to a maximum thickness of 3 mm are affected by bark beetle, where spruce bark beetle larvae (Ips typographus) form galleries of about 10–12 cm long [31]
The hyphae of these fungi grow through the wood and affect the structure of the wood. These hyphae can be observed by imaging techniques; in Figure 4a,b, fungal hyphae in the wood of Norway spruce infested with I. typographus are shown by scanning electron microscopy
Summary
Many studies have dealt with the issue of tree infestation by beetles of the genus Scolytinae (bark beetle). Logging spans thousands of hectares and frequently exceeds 50% of the total annual harvest in some central and eastern European countries [15] At this point, it is important to realize that most of Europe’s forests are commercial forests, which aim to produce quality wood that brings economic profit. It is obvious that in the region where certain tree species are most affected by bark beetles, the properties of the wood of these tree species are investigated, and in other regions where bark beetles attack other tree species, the properties of those other tree species are investigated For these reasons, research in Central and Eastern Europe deals mainly with spruce (Picea abies, Picea obovata Ledeb) [21,22,23] and in North America mainly pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex C.Lawson, Pinus taeda L.) [24,25,26,27]. The aim of this review article is to summarize current scientific knowledge about the structure, physical properties, and mechanical properties of wood from bark beetle-attacked trees
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
