Abstract

This study quantified the physical and mechanical properties of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) as a basis for assessing wood quality. The physical properties of oven-dry density, density at 12% MC, green density, basic density, longitudinal, radial, tangential and volumetric shrinkages were tested and the mechanical properties of bending strength, modulus of elasticity at bending, compression strength parallel to grain and compression strength in radial and tangential direction as well as of Brinell hardness on the cross, radial, and tangential section were determined. Five sycamore maple trees from Medvednica region were selected for the purposes of this research. The results were compared with known literature data on sycamore maple wood, beech wood from the same sight, and beech wood from Gorski Kotar region. For a better understanding of sycamore maple physiology, as well as for assessing the quality of wood products, the distribution of wood properties within the tree radius, from pith to bark, was investigated. There was a general bell shaped distribution, in the radial direction, in wood density, and mechanical properties of sycamore maple wood. Shrinkages decreased from pith to bark, except for tangential shrinkage with bell shaped pattern. All investigated wood densities of sycamore maple from Medvednica were similar to the findings of studies known in literature, as well as shrinkages, except for the lower longitudinal shrinkage. Investigated mechanical properties of sycamore maple wood were similar to the findings of studies known in literature, except for the lower bending strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE). Investigated sycamore maple indicated better dimensional stability than beech wood from two locations in the region, although it did not match the beech wood regarding mechanical properties, especially wood hardness.

Highlights

  • Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) is a fastgrowing noble broadleaved tree species that commonly grows in the mixed forests of Central Europe (Vacek et al 2018)

  • ⇒ Wood density of sycamore maple from Medvednica was similar to the findings from known literature, including shrinkages, except for the lower longitudinal shrinkage

  • Investigated mechanical properties of sycamore maple wood were similar to the findings from known literature, except for the lower bending strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE)

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Summary

Introduction

Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus L.) is a fastgrowing noble broadleaved tree species that commonly grows in the mixed forests of Central Europe (Vacek et al 2018). The share of this species in the total forest area of Europe is quite low (e.g. around 3%) (Spiecker et al 2009), several studies have highlighted its great ecological and economic importance (Florineth et al 2002, Leslie 2005, Bell 2009). Rapid growth, valuable timber with multiple uses, and high market prices make sycamore maple economically attractive (Hein et al 2009). For these reasons, certain authors believe that the area proportion of maple is going to be doubled in the long term (Thies et al 2009)

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