Increment Borer Research Articles

Heavy Metals in Polish Forest Stands of Quercus Robur and Q. Petraea

This study aimed to compare concentrations of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in wood of Quercus robur and Q. petraea and in the soil on 21 plots in different parts of Polish lowlands. Concentrations of those metals in growth rings taken with an increment borer were measured in 20-year periods. The curves of radial distribution of heavy metals in growth rings are highly variable, but usually a greater variation was observed in sapwood than in heartwood. This attests to transport of metals in the younger, functional xylem, and confirms earlier observations. Quercus petraea accumulated significantly more Zn but less Cd than Q. robur, while concentrations of other metals were similar in both species. No significant correlations between levels of different metals in oak wood were detected, except a strong correlation between Pb and Cd. Concentrations of heavy metals in oak wood were generally not correlated with their concentrations in the soil. Most of the forest stands can be regarded as free from pollution with heavy metals.

Focus on ... Field Foresters: How to Use a Cordless Drill to Extract Increment Cores

Abstract Cordless drills are a viable alternative to increment borers and can greatly reduce the time and effort required to extract cores.

Dating and Interpreting Pine Cambium Collection Scars from Two Parts of the Nechako River Drainage, British Columbia

Pine cambium is a food resource that was regularly utilized by foraging populations of the interior of British Columbia from at least ad1790 to 1950. The scars left on living pine trees (Culturally Modified Trees, or CMTs) by cambium stripping are directly datable evidence for this subsistence activity by utilizing forestry increment borers to extract cores. Further, pine cambium is generally regarded as a marginal, or supplementary resource, with changes in the frequency of cambium collection being related to natural cycles in the abundance of staple resources. This paper discusses the dating of these subsistence features, and in comparing two areas of the Nechako River drainage of British Columbia, suggests that pine cambium was more intensively utilized in areas lacking salmon, the staple of the greater region.

Wood density of trees in black water floodplains of Rio Jaú National Park, Amazonia, Brazil

The Jaú National Park is the largest protected forested area in the world. The Vitória Amazônica Foundation is working towards understanding its ecosystem, to which this paper contributes. Wood density was analysed in 27 common tree species growing in the blackwater flood-plains of the Rio Jaú, an affluent of the Rio Negro (Amazonia, Brazil). Wood was sampled with an increment borer. Mean wood density of the analysed species ranged from 0.35 to 0.87 g cm-3. The mean of all sampled species was 0.67 g cm-3 (st. dev. 0.13). Lowest density was found for Hevea spruceana with 0.32 g cm-3 and highest for Crudia amazonica with 0.9 g cm-3.

Water content in stem wood of large pine and spruce trees in natural forests in central Sweden

Water relations of large pine and spruce trees were studied by the Mendel University Brno and Swedish Agricultural University Uppsala in central Sweden within the framework of NOPEX project. This particular study was focused on estimation of tree stem water storage and its importance for stand water balance. Proportions of solid matter, water and air in the bulk volume of wood along radii of tree stems were analysed using the gravimetric method. The cores of wood were taken with Suunto increment borer from pine and spruce trees of different social position in two neighbouring stands 50 and 100 year old. Data were interpreted in terms of the sapwood area and volume and water content in different tissues (sapwood and heartwood) and total amounts of water stored in tree stems. Total and available water in stem tissues was distinguished and the radial profile of water content was evaluated. The available water was discussed as an internal source for transpiration on the stand level.

Variação da densidade básica da madeira de progênies de <i>Eucalyptus urophylla</i> em dois locais.

Estudou-se neste trabalho a variação da densidade básica da madeira entre procedências e progênies de eucalipto plantados em duas localidades. As progênies de Eucalyptus urophylla originárias da ilha de Timor na Indonésia foram plantadas em Belo Oriente (MG) e Linhares (ES) no delineamento de blocos compactos em famílias (compact family blocks) com 3 repetições no espaçamento de 3,0 x 2,0m. Após 4 anos as árvores foram amostradas ao nível do DAP com a sonda Pressler e sua densidade básica determinada pelo método do máximo teor de umidade. Os resultados mostraram que as progênies tiveram comportamento similar nos dois locais. A maior variação entre progênies ocorreu naquelas provenientes da região Oebaha II. Os valores médios de densidade básica* das progênies não foram diferentes das procedências brasileiras utilizadas como testemunhas no experimento.

Tree‐Ring Cation Response to Experimental Watershed Acidification in West Virginia and Maine

AbstractThe impact of experimental watershed acidfication on xylem cation chemistry was evaluated in eight tree species at two sites in West Virginia (Clover Run and Fernow) and one site in Maine (Bear Brook). All sites had received regular additions of (NH4)2SO4 equivalent to twice the ambient annual wet plus dry atmospheric deposition of N and S. Multiple wood cores were extracted from tree boles in five trees of each species on treatment and control areas at each site with increment borers. Cores were divided into several age segments and composited for each tree. Ground wood samples were destructively analyzed for Ca, Mg, Mn, and Al concentrations using inductively coupled plasma emission (ICP) methods. All tree species sampled at the two West Virginia sites exhibited significant Ca and/or Mg concentration decreases and Mn concentration increases in sapwood on the treated relative to control areas after 8 yr of treatment. At Bear Brook, tree‐ring concentrations in three species showed similar trends after 5 yr of treatment, but differences were generally not significant. Sapwood molar ratios of Ca/Mn and Mg/Mn were better indices to soil acidification than Ca/Al, due to low Al concentrations and insensitivity of sapwood Al concentrations to treatments. Overall, sapwood chemistry appeared to be a reliable indicator of the current nutrient status of trees; but, except for Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis Sieb. and Zucc.), sapwood chemistry did not preserve a record of the chronology of past changes due to treatments.

Caoutchouc in teak wood (Tectona grandis L. f.): formation, location, influence on sunlight irradiation, hydrophobicity and decay resistance

The formation of caoutchouc in teak sapwood and heartwood was examined in an increment borer core using light microscopy after staining with osmium tetroxide. The distribution of the polyisoprenoid in untreated and extracted heartwood, its influence on surface chemistry, contact angle with water and formation of radicals before and after irradiation with sunlight, and also on decay resistance were determined. Caoutchouc was not observed in the cambial zone and outer sapwood, but occurred from the middle of sapwood as black globule. In sapwood, if available, it was mainly found in the lumen of parenchyma. In heartwood the globule were also detected in fibers and vessel elements. They usually fused into one big or irregular formed structures. SEM of untreated heartwood cuttings showed that lumen of all cell types and also the cut-surfaces were covered with extraneous materials. Extraction with acetone which removed extractives except caoutchouc did not change the surface morphology markedly. Residual caoutchouc still covered cell lumen and cut-surfaces. Successive extraction with acetone and chloroform removed extraneous materials, and lumen surfaces and cut-surfaces became clear. It revealed that caoutchouc occurred also in cell walls. The XPS spectrum of untreated teak heartwood showed a rather high C1, a moderate C2 and a low C3 peak area. After acetone extraction the C1 peak area increased slightly but the C2 and C3 area decreased. Successive extraction with acetone and chloroform caused a significant decrease of C1, but an increase of both C2 and C3 values. Untreated teak heartwood cuttings showed a high contact angle with water, indicating hydrophobic properties. Extraction with acetone increased contact angle slightly. This is explained by removal of polar compounds and redistribution and enrichment of the apolar caoutchouc on the surface. Successive extraction with acetone and chloroform removed all extractives and contact angle was significantly reduced. The ratio of ESR relative signal intensities of free radicals in untreated specimens, acetone extracted and acetonechloroform extracted specimens which were irradiated and non-irradiated showed the highest values for acetone extracted ones, followed by untreated and acetone-chloroform treated specimens. Reconstituted panels made from ethanol extracted teak heartwood meal were decay susceptible. Specimens made from wood meal successively extracted with ethanol and chloroform showed slightly less resistance that specimens made from ethanol extracted ones. The high decay resistance of untreated teak heartwood is postulated due to a synergetic effect of decay active ethanol extracts and non-active caoutchouc.

Improving estimates of total tree ages based on increment core samples

:Accurate (i.e., annual resolution) determination of total tree ages with increment core samples is difficult because of the improbability of intercepting the pith at the root collar for most trees. For the xeric conifer Austrocedrus chilensis (D. Don) Florin and Boutelje in northern Patagonia (Argentina), we developed and tested a three-stage procedure for improving estimates of total tree ages. i) For increment core samples not reaching the pith, a graphical technique is used to estimate the missing length of the tree radius. ii) Cumulative radial growth curves are used to estimate the numbers of rings in the missing lengths at variable heights above the root collar. And, iii) number of years required to reach coring height are derived from height-growth curves for seedlings growing under different site conditions. Approximately 500 seedlings (< 100 cm tall) were uprooted and sectioned for determination of height-growth curves and radial-growth curves at different stem heights. From these curves, total ages were estimated for trees sampled with increment borers. These procedures may reduce errors resulting from assumptions of circular ring symmetry or constant radial growth rate. However, where age determination requires estimation of the location of the missed pith, complete accuracy is not likely in all cases. For example, for slow-growing Austrocedrus trees, a missing core length of just 1 cm may result in errors of 10 to 20 years. Differences in rates of tree growth among stands of Austrocedrus indicate that the most accurate estimates of total tree ages require determination of seedling growth rates for each homogeneous site sampled for age structure. Best estimates must also take into account the differential growth rates of subpopulations of seedlings within each stand due to microsite variation and competitive influences.

Fungi in bark peeling wounds of Picea abies in central Sweden

SummaryA total of 210 Norway spruce trees with stem wounds resulting from bark peeling by moose (Alces alces) were examined in three 45–50‐year‐old stands that contained 20‐30% of damaged trees. Injured stems were between 8 and 40 cm diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) and showed 1 to 23‐year‐old wounds. Wounds varied in size from 2 to 4815 cm2. The size of injury correlated negatively with the age of the injury (r=‐0.24; p=0.004), and positive correlation was established between the age of the injury and d.b.h. of the wounded tree (r=0.50; p=0.0001). Each wound was sampled once using an increment borer and fungi were isolated. Among basidiomycetes, Stereum sanguinolentum was the most common (isolated from 26.7% of the damaged stems). Other common species were Cylindrobasidium evolvens (23.8%), Amylostereum areolatum (5.2%), A. chailletii (0.5%), Heterobasidion annosum (5.2%), Peni‐ophorapithya (1.4%), Sistotrema brinkmannii (1.0%). The ascomycete Nectria fuckeliana was the most common among all fungi (present in 35.7% of bark peeling wounds). The frequency of S. sanguinolentum infection correlated positively with the age of the injury (r=0.27; p=0.001) and the opposite relationship was revealed for C. evolvens (r=−0.30; p=0.0001). Furthermore, C. evolvens infection correlated positively with the wound size (r=0.30; p=0.0001) and negatively with the tree d.b.h. (r=−0.20; p=0.004). A positive correlation was found between tree d. b. h. and the occurrence in stems of H. annosum (r=0.23; p=0.001 and N. fuckeliana (r=0.23; p=0.0006). The spruce bark beetle Dendroctonus micans attacked 14.8% of wounded trees. Presence in stems of N. fuckeliana was associated significantly with the D. micans attack (r=0.190; p =0.006; χ2 test: p=0.01). Except for a negative correlation between infections of S. sanguinolentum and H. annosum (r=‐0.140; p=0.04), no significant relationship between fungal species was found.

EVALUATION OF INTERNAL DEFECTS IN TREES AND THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

Summary The identification of internal defects in trees has, until recently, depended upon such external evidence as fruiting bodies of fungal decay organisms, cavities, weeping wounds and reduced canopy densities. Drills and probes, for example increment borers, frequently created wounds which formed foci of infection for wood decay organisms. The process of visual tree assessment using the Fractometer makes it possible to measure the strength of a tree trunk suspected of internal decay. The Sibert Decay Detecting Drill (DDD200) with a 1.5 mm probe defines and delineates decay and sound wood as well as providing a print-out showing the state of the wood. This information which may also be of assistance in any legal proceedings can be used to determine the exact extent of defects and weaknesses.

Pyrenochaeta ligni-putridi sp. nov., a new coelomycete associated with butt rot of Picea abies in Switzerland

Pyrenochaeta ligni-putridi , a new coelomycete isolated from cylinders of decaying wood drawn from trunks and roots of Norway spruce with an increment borer, is described and illustrated. The new species is thiabendazole tolerant and differs from other species of Pyrenochaeta by the morphology of its setae and conidia.

Is Lateral Strength in Trees Controlled by Lateral Mechanical Stress?

It is shown experimentally that lateral tensile stresses perpendicular to the fiber orientation computed for three ash trees under wind loading are well correlated to lateral strength perpendicular to the grain. These measurements were done with cores taken from trees with an increment borer and broken with a fractometer. Lateral stresses can lead to delamination of wood. This danger is minimized by local distribution of strength according to lateral stresses.

A device for assisting in the recovery of jammed increment borers from trees

A simple device for assisting in the recovery of a jammed increment borer from a tree or log is described. The low-cost parts are readily obtained.

Water Relations of Juniperus virginiana and Andropogon Gerardii in an Unburned Tallgrass Prairie Watershed

Water Relations of Juniperus virginiana and Andropogon Gerardii in an Unburned Tallgrass Prairie Watershed

Growth rates in diameter, basal area, and height of Pilgerodendron uviferum; relationship between growth index and germination

Increment borer samples taken at breast height in Pilgerodendron uviferum (Cupressaceae) trees growing in two Chilean forest stands near latitude 42° south were used to study growth rates in diameter, basal area, and height. Radial average growth is 0.51 mm/year in Santa Luciă 0.44 mm/year in the Piuchue stand; the correlation between diameter and age is 0.79 in Santa Lucia and 0.64 in Piuchue. Similar results were obtained in the basal area/age relationship. Both groups of trees have a low rate of growth compared to rates obtained in other studies. Maximum values for radial growth (culmination age) are reached at 110 years of age in Santa Lucia and 50 years in Piuchue. Growth in height, averaging 5.8 cm/year, appears to be similar in all trees analyzed; occasional differences can be attributed to understory position of some trees. Comparison of radial growth and germination of Pilgerodendron plants shows a synchronous relationship, suggesting an influence of climate on the pattern of forest regeneration.

Mechanical devices for extracting stuck increment borers

A hoist–puller (come-along) or a scissor jack can be used to extract stuck increment borers from trees. An electric drill is also helpful for removing jammed wood from the inside of borers.

Relationship between Xylem Trace Metals and Radial Growth of Loblolly Pine in Rural Alabama

AbstractThis study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between the metals Al, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn and the basal area increment (BAI) of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in an old growth stand in Alabama. The BAI is the annual stand average area increment at breast height, estimated from increment borer core samples at breast height. The sampled trees have inner annual ring dates ranging from 1843 to 1918. Significant negative linear relationships were found between concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, and the BAI series. Aluminum and Cu concentrations were inversely related to BAI. No significance was exhibited for Mn. These findings are discussed as potential contributing factors to forest decline. No correlation was found between the soil‐extractable levels of the metals and the concentration in the most recent xylem tissue. A significant correlation was found between bark Zn and recent xylem Zn concentrations. No other metals exhibited correlations between recent xylem and soil or bark concentration.

Taking Increment Cores with Power Tools

Abstract High-quality increment cores can now be extracted from trees by powering increment borers, with light-weight generators to operate electric drills or by using engine-powered drills that weigh less than 9 lb but develop 1.2 hp. South. J. Appl. For. 11(3):151-153.

Strengthening increment corer extractors

Increment borer extractors often buckle when being pushed into the corer to retrieve a core. A graph gives the buckling pressure for extractors with varying amounts of length exposed from the corer. From this graph, two methods are given for reducing the possibility of extractors buckling: grip the extractor so that no more than 7 cm are exposed and strengthen the end 3 cm of the extractor.