Commercial Timbers Research Articles

Feeding responses of the western dry-wood termite Incisitermes minor (Hagen) (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) against ten commercial timbers

Five Japanese timbers, four timbers from the USA, and one Malaysian timber were evaluated for their resistance to the invasive dry-wood termite Incisitermes minor (Hagen) using laboratory choice and no-choice feeding tests with holed specimens. The highest survival rates of I. minor in both the heartwood and sapwood no-choice feeding tests were more than 70% after 3 months. When offered sapwood and heartwood choice feeding tests and the combined choice feeding tests, the highest survival rates of I. minor were more than 75% after 3 months. With regards to the percentage of wood mass losses in the no-choice and choice feeding tests, karamatsu (Larix leptolepsis), buna (Fagus crenata), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were classified as “resistant” species among the ten sapwood specimens. In the heartwood no-choice and choice feeding tests, the resistant species were buna, karamatsu, Douglas fir, sugi (Cryptomeria japonica), akamatsu (Pinus densiflora), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata). The ranking of the resistance of the ten commercial timbers against I. minor was buna > karamatsu > sugi > western red cedar > Douglas fir > rubber > western hemlock > hinoki > spruce.

Integrating analyses of local land-use regulations, cultural perceptions and land-use/land cover data for assessing the success of community-based conservation

Studies of land-use/land cover change are an important means for examining the viability of community-based programs for forest conservation, although an analysis of the social processes influencing land-use decisions is necessary to understand the factors leading to different conservation outcomes. In this paper, we demonstrate that an analysis of locally recognized land-use rules and regulations embedded in local institutions can inform remote-sensing approaches by helping: (1) to elucidate some of the local perceptions, criteria and interactions with outside agencies that drive conservation actions and (2) to better interpret the spatial patterns of land-use change and forest conservation revealed by remote-sensing data. Based on a case study of a forest ejido from the Maya Zone of Quintana Roo, Mexico, we evaluate changes in forest cover and in local land-use regulations before and after the initiation in the mid-1980s of a community forestry program, the Plan Piloto Forestal (PPF). Methods included development of a time series of land cover maps based on LANDSAT imagery from 1976, 1988, 1991, 1997 and 2000, as well as interviews and participant observation with local farmers and community leaders. Results indicate a high degree of forest conservation on community lands with net rates of forest loss of 0.6–0.7%/year. Locally recognized conservation regulations included a number of forest reserves as well as regulations which protect specific forest types, resulting from both local initiatives and interventions of external agencies. These initiatives included but were not limited to the PPF, highlighting the importance of evaluating community-based conservation programs within a broader historical context. Conservation regulations protecting an important commercial non-timber forest product ( Manilkara zapota) pre-dated the PPF and may have facilitated its implementation. In the most accessible agricultural areas, the only mature forest patches were customary forest reserves and an area regenerated from secondary forests, protected due to enrichment plantings of commercial timbers. Recognition of local Maya terminology used to distinguish forest types was crucial for proper interpretation of local land-use regulations, which revealed that less-valued forest types may not be adequately protected on community lands. We suggest that future research should examine the significance of the less-valued forest types for global biodiversity conservation. In addition careful consideration of the historical antecedents and community institutions which may have facilitated the implementation of the Plan Piloto Forestal will be important for the successful application of this model of community forestry to other socio-economic and cultural contexts.

Community preferences for tree species for household wood products in Vanuatu: A summary of four surveys

Four surveys which gathered information from rural communities on useful tree species in Vanuatu have been reviewed and summarized. The surveys were undertaken from 1990 to 1993 and concentrated on species used for fuelwood and local construction. One survey also reported tree species useful for other purposes, such as fruit and nuts, edible foliage and customary uses. There were regional differences in species choices that could be related to the Northern, Central and Southern regions of the country. Popular fuelwood species included Macaranga spp., Hibiscus tiliaceus, Kleinhovia hospita, Dysoxylon spp. and the introduced Leucaena leucocephala. In general, people did not perceive any shortage of fuelwood. There were differences in preferences for fuelwood, depending on whether wood was required for open-fire pot cooking, open-fire roasting, or laplap (a kind of earth oven). Popular species for ground poles included Hibiscus tiliaceus, Flueggia flexuosa, Macaranga spp., Pterocarpus indicus, Bischofia javanica and lntsia bijuga, with some variations in preference between regions. Preferred species for aerial timbers for house construction included Macaranga spp., Flueggia flexuosa, Ficus spp., Kleinhovia hospita and Alphitonia zizyphoides. Species providing commercial timbers, such as Endospermum medullosum, Santalum austro-caledonicum and lntsia bijuga, are valued and are being planted, or wildlings cared for, on-farm. Important fruit and nut trees included Barringtonia edulis, Canarium spp., Syzygium malaccense, Pometia pinnata, lnocarpus fagifer, Burckella obovata and Dracontomelon vitiense. Tree species having multiple importance in customary use, such as Hibiscus tiliaceus, Macaranga spp., lntsia bijuga, Casuarina equisetifolia, Flueggia flexuosa, Kleinhovia hospita, Leucaena leucocephala, Barringtonia edulis and Acacia spp., are ranked highly.

Effects of coupling agent on the physical properties of wood-polymer composites

Wood-polymer composites based on two Australian commercial timbers, radiata pine (pinus radiata) a soft wood and fast growing plantation timber, and blackbutt (eucalyptus piluliaris), a hard wood which is also a plantation timber, were prepared using the vinyl monomer, methyl methacrylate (MMA).It has been established that polymethyl methacrylate does not form bonds with the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose fibres but simply bulks the void spaces within the wood structure. Coupling agents have been known to increase adhesion of wood fibre to polymer matrix. In this study wood samples were pretreated with the coupling agent, vinyltriacetoxysilane, before impregnation with MMA in order to evaluate the effects of the silane coupling agent on the physical properties of wood-polymer composites.These composites were prepared using a catalyst-accelerator method and the polymerisation process was initiated at room temperature. This method involves the impregnation of wood samples using MMA containing benzoyl peroxide (1%), lauroyl peroxide (0.5%) and the accelerator: N,N-dimethylaniline (0.5%). In contrast to the conventional catalyst-heat method, this method requires no heating in the initiation process and thus results in virtually no loss of monomer.In general, there were improvements in dimensional stabilities (positive effects in both anti-shrink and anti-absorption efficiencies), compressive strength and hardness of silane treated wood-polymer composites. The morphology of the composites was examined using scanning electron microscopy and improved adhesion was evident for composites treated with the coupling agent. Since WPC find greatest use in medium to high unit cost products such as flooring and secondary construction items, improvements in both physical and mechanical properties of WPC would have important implications for the wood industry.

Common commercial timbers and wood based products of India - a consumer guide. S.K. Purkayastha, iv + 184 pp., illus., 1990. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 23-A Connaught Place, Dehra Dun 248001, India. Price: US$ 12.50.

Common commercial timbers and wood based products of India - a consumer guide. S.K. Purkayastha, iv + 184 pp., illus., 1990. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 23-A Connaught Place, Dehra Dun 248001, India. Price: US$ 12.50.

Cytology of hardwoods

Cytology of 51 woody species including 7 commercial timbers, belonging to Gamopetalae and Monochlamydeae have been carried out. Two genera (Melodinus monogynous, n=11 andHomonoia riparia, n=22) and 8 species (Gardenia latifolia, n=11;Ixora barbata, n=11;Ligustrum sinense, 2n=46;Strophanthus wallichii, n=11;Dolichandrone cynanchoides, n=20;Beilschmiedia roxburghiana, n=12;Persea gratissima, n=12 andPhyllanthus discoides, n=13) have been counted for the first time. Variable chromosomes have been recorded for 7 species. In addition phenomena of cytological interest like structural hybridity due to reciprocal translocations (Rauvolfia serpentina, 2n=22 andBroussonetia papyrifera, 2n=26), B-chromosomes (Breynia rhamnoides, n=26+0−2B andJoannesia princeps, n=11+0−2B) and cytomixis (Serissa foetida, 2n=22) have been detected. Abnormal microsporogenesis in a diploid tree ofCleistanthus collinus (n=10) might be attributed to the disfunction of spindle apparatus.

Textbook of wood technology I. Structure, identification, defects and uses of the Iranian timbers, with notes on commercial timbers of the world. P. Niloufari, c. 600 pp., illus., partly in English, partly in Persian, 1986. Publications of the University of Tehran 738, Tehran Univ. Press, Iran. Price: US$ 30.00 (paper); available from the author's address: No 16 Laleh Street, Rajai

Textbook of wood technology I. Structure, identification, defects and uses of the Iranian timbers, with notes on commercial timbers of the world. P. Niloufari, c. 600 pp., illus., partly in English, partly in Persian, 1986. Publications of the University of Tehran 738, Tehran Univ. Press, Iran. Price: US$ 30.00 (paper); available from the author's address: No 16 Laleh Street, Rajai

Diversity of palms (Palmae) in Gunung Lumut, Central Kalimantan

Kalimantan is one of biodiversity centers in Indonesia, especially for commercial timbers such as dipterocars and commercial non timbers, such as orchids, ferns, and palms. One of the biodiversity centers in Kalimantan is Gunung Lumut. Gunung Lumut is located in Barito Utara Regency, Central Kalimantan. The area is proposed as conservation area (world natural heritage) by local government, because its biodiversity richness and also water reserve. Biodiversity surveys on plants and animals have been done by Indonesian Institute of Sciences staff cooperation with the Local government since 2002 to get some data for that purposed. Based on the survey on palms taxa, Gunung Lumut has 33 species of palms in 11 genera. There are Calamus 8 species, Daemonorops 7 species, Plectocomia 1 species, Korthalsia 6 species, Ceratolobus 2 species, Eugeissona 1 species, Oncosperma 1 species, Pinanga 4 species, Iguanura 1 species, Arenga 1 species, and Licuala 1 species.@ 2005 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: palms, Gunung Lumut, Kalimantan, world natural heritage.

Commercial Timbers of the United States

A MORE suitable title for this book than that selected by the authors would have been “A Treatise on Wood Growth and Structure”. The reader will find that out of 554 pages only 154 can be said to be informative on the subject of commercial timbers of the United States: these 154 pages include seventy-five kinds of woods, on which the information is limited and generally highly technical. The uses of the timbers named are drawn only from information within the United States, and a glance at the bibliography displays perhaps a somewhat insufficient research. Commercial Timbers of the United States Their Structure, Identification, Properties and Uses. Published formerly under the title “Identification of the Commercial Timbers of the United States”. By Prof. H. P. Brown and Prof. A. J. Panshin. (American Forestry Series.) Pp. xxi+554. (New York and London: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1940.) 35s.

Commercial Timbers of the Punjab

A Forest Bulletin, No. 84, in the Economy Series of the Imperial Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, has been recently issued (Delhi: Manager of Publications, 1934) entitled the “Identification of the Commercial Timbers of the Punjab“by K. A. Chowdhury, wood technologist. The Indian Research Institute has been a pioneer in getting together information on the timbers of a definite region, having undertaken intensive research in the timber resources of India during the past twenty years; with the result that the number of timbers now sold in the market is much greater than it was a few years ago. This fact, states the author, has resulted in difficulties in identification of some of the species which have now come upon the market. The aim of the Bulletin, and a predecessor on Burma timbers, is primarily to show the differences of the anatomical structure of some of the more commercial timbers of the Punjab, and the way to identify them on the spot with the assistance only of a hand lens and pocket knife. Brief notes are also given on the strengths, seasoning properties, durability, working qualities and uses for each species: these latter add greatly to the practical value of the publication. The commercial woods of the Punjab, of which a proportion are temperate species, both conifer and broad-leaved species, are comparatively few in number and their identification is by no means difficult. Those who make use of this Bulletin will find the excellent low power (x 10) photomicrographs of considerable assistance. The species dealt with include the Himalayan conifers, deodar, spruce and silver firs, several pines and broad-leaved trees such as walnut, several oaks, boxwood, poplar and alder; and the Plains species, such as sal, mango, tun, sissoo, tamarix and so forth.

Commercial Timbers of Australia

SINCE the War, most States possessing forests of any importance have, owing to a greater world demand or greater competition, been engaged in an endeavour to place their commercial timbers on foreign marketsor, in some cases, in attempts to develop an interior market. Research officers have been studying the properties and uses of the principal commercial timbers of the country concerned with the object of providing purchasers and users with the necessary information in a concise form. Australia has been engaged on research in this direction at the Division of Forest Products. Pamphlet No. 47, Properties of Australian Timbers (1) (Government Printer, Melbourne, 1933) by H. E. Dadswell, has recently appeared. This first part of the series deals with the timbers of the genus Eucalyptus which are known as the Ash Group. The real value of this type of research in most countries with forest resources is correctly enunciated by Mr. I. H. Boas, chief of the Division of Products: Many Commercial timbers in Australia occur only in amounts which can supply local marketsothers would supply a limited overseas demand and still others are capable of supplying a large export market. The species treated of in the pamphlet of the so-called Îsh Group are Eucalyptus regnans, gigantea, obliqua, sieberiana, fastigiata, oreades, frax-inoides and consideniana.

Forestry in Norway

THE progress of scientific forestry in Norway forms the subject of an interesting article, by Mr. S. Burtt Meyer, in No. 5 of the Journal of the Board of Agriculture. No less than 21-4 per cent, of the total area of Norway is under forest, as against 3.9 per cent, in the United Kingdom. The most abundant forest tree is the Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris), followed by the birch and the spruce (P. excelsa). The alder, aspen, and rowan are distributed pretty generally, while the oak, ash, elm, and beech are also found in favoured areas. The commercial timbers, however, are the Scots pine and the spruce, the latter being of great importance since the introduction of the wood-pulp trade. Spruce forms much the best material for wood pulp. A certain amount of pine can be added, but more than about 15 per cent, tends to spoil the colour. Spruce grows at a lower altitude than pine, and, generally speaking, in a more southern latitude. South of Trondhjem the pine usually ceases at about 2600 feet above sea-level, where it is replaced by the birch; above 3500 feet only dwarf birch and willow occur, while at some 4000 feet the snow-line stops all vegetation. The best forest land is that lying in the neighbourhood of Christiania extending north and north-east over the Glommen watershed. The management of the forest is on the whole good, and well adapted to the local conditions. The work of felling and removing the timber commences in autumn and continues throughout the winter, being greatly facilitated by the snow which covers the ground from November until March or April.