Picea Orientalis Research Articles

Crushed mussel shell powder and optional borax in surface char layers to protect four wood species against fire

The goal is to protect semi-finished/finished wood components from burning/fires in a variety of settings (wooden buildings, historical sites, restoration, etc.). Natural (organic) sea mussel shells (Chamelea gallina) were crushed and prepared with water in various solution concentrations (10%, 15%) after the pyrolysis process, either alone or together with boron compounds (borax). The limiting oxygen index value (LOI) was determined by making retention calculations. Coatings were applied to the wood as a double treatment, with boron compounds (borax) used for comparison purposes. Eastern spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.), Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), eastern beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), and locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) were chosen for this research. When the pyrolysis-treated impregnated samples were compared to the pyrolysis-treated control sample, the limiting oxygen index value (LOI) was found to be significantly higher in the impregnated samples. After impregnation, 15% borax (0.89%) in acacia wood had the highest retention value, whereas 10 percent mussel shell (0.22%) in spruce wood had the lowest. The maximum limiting oxygen index value (LOI) was found in acacia wood (42.8%), while the lowest value was found in acacia wood (28.9%) impregnated with 10% mussel shell powder after the pyrolysis process.

Susceptibility assessment and mapping of Ips typographus (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in oriental spruce forests in Artvin, Turkey

AbstractIps typographus, which was first identified in 1984 in the oriental spruce forests of Artvin, Turkey, has killed millions of cubic metres of trees. Severe outbreaks of I. typographus following storms resulting in fallen trees and salvage logging done as a part of control activities have caused gaps in the stand canopy of oriental spruce forests. These forests, which have many important functions, such as supplying water, soil conservation and preventing natural disasters in the area they spread, have a fragmented structure because of beetle damages and various traditional utilization practices of the local community. In this study, the local spread of I. typographus in the forests of Hatila Valley National Park and the neighbouring Taşlıca Forest Sub‐District was evaluated, and the areas susceptible to the beetle were determined using the frequency ratio method. A total of 120 pheromone traps were employed in the study. A beetle density map of the study area was produced using the inverse distance weighting interpolation method based on the total number of beetles caught by the traps. Then, the correlation between the regions with high I. typographus density and environmental factors that contributed to this situation were determined using the frequency ratio method. An average 6528.70 beetles were caught by the pheromone traps as a result of this study. The density of the beetles was high in 60.64% of the study area, and an average 10,844.25 beetles were caught by the pheromone traps in these areas. The difference in the total number of beetles between areas with high beetle density and those with low or medium beetle density was significant. It was determined that 32.53% of the study area had very high or high susceptibility to I. typographus. Different parameters such as altitude, slope, aspect, distance to forest roads, stand type, topographic wetness index and area solar radiation were found to be associated with the susceptibility of an area to I. typographus.

A methodological approach to ε-caprolactone modification of wood

Due to increasing environmental awareness, in recent years the research on classical wood preservation by hazardous impregnation chemicals has been shifted to more environmentally friendly chemical modification methods with organic molecules/polymers. The chemical modification processes rely on the replacement or blockage of wood hydroxyl groups with generally hydrophobic molecules, thereby improving the dimensional stability, water repellency and biological resistance of the wood. This study investigates in situ polymerization of ε-caprolactone to form poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a biodegradable polymer, which was grafted to the wood cell walls of both Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and spruce wood (Picea orientalis L.). Wood modification by in situ polymerization of ε-caprolactone has been studied so far in order to be an alternative modification approach to obtain improved wood properties, such as good dimensional stability and improved water resistance without reducing mechanical properties considerably. In the light of previous studies, the current work proposes a methodological approach to ε-caprolactone modification in two aspects: (i) the effect of catalyst (tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate) amount on wood properties (i.e., swelling (S), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), water uptake (WU), mass loss (ML)) (ii) the effect of oven or solvent curing of ε-caprolactone on wood properties (i.e., S, ASE, WU, ML, compressive strength parallel to the grain, and chemical components). By these approaches, an optimum catalyst amount was determined, and an alternative method (oven-curing) which may be more economic by enabling the re-use of the waste chemical was evaluated in comparison to the method of ε-caprolactone modification in prior publications (solvent-curing).

The effects of increasing preservative uptake by microwave pre-treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Oriental spruce wood

ABSTRACT In the microwave (MW) pre-treatment process, a constant MW energy intensity of 2158 MJ/m3 was applied by using 925 W (3700 sec.), 1295 W (2640 sec.) and 1850 W (1850 sec.) powers. Tanalith-E preservative material was used to determine the increase in impregnability of MW pre-treated wood. The mechanical properties of the treated wood specimens were tested to determine the degradation caused by exposure to the MW radiation. Additionally, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to determine the changes in wood microstructure with the effect of microwave pre-treatment. According to the impregnations, the average preservative material retention rates increased 62% for the specimens with MW groups, compared to the reference specimens. The mechanical properties of the MW pre-treated specimens decreased by (average) 5% in compression strength, 12% in the bending strength and 16% in the modulus of elasticity. SEM observations of the reference specimens showed that there were many aspirated bordered pits before MW pre-treatment. After the MW pre-treatment, parts of the pit membranes were damaged. The torus ruptured and cracked, while the structure of the micro-fibrils on the margo remained intact. In the observations of the intercellular microstructure of wood, it was observed that micro cracks with a width of 1–10 μm were formed.

The effects of bioincising by Physisporinus vitreus on cuo retention and copper element leaching in oriental spruce wood

The effects of bioincising by Physisporinus vitreus on cuo retention and copper element leaching in oriental spruce wood

Susceptibility assessment and mapping of Ips typographus (L.) in oriental spruce forests in Artvin, Turkey

Susceptibility assessment and mapping of Ips typographus (L.) in oriental spruce forests in Artvin, Turkey

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Properties of Essential Oils Obtained from the Resin of Picea orientalis L.

This study aims to evaluate the chemical composition and antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties of the essential oil subtracted from the oleoresins, which were obtained from the stem of the Picea orientalis naturally grown in Turkey. The essential oil of the resin was obtained through the hydrodistillation method in a Clevenger type device, and it was analyzed with GC-MS/FID. The structure of 74 compounds that were found in the essential oil was elucidated by comparing with literature data and the database in the appliance. Limonene (53.40%), β-pinene (20.74%) and α-pinene (14.51%) were determined to be the major components. The highest class of compounds in resin essential oils was identified as monoterpene hydrocarbons. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated with the agar well diffusion method against 25 microorganisms, including 13 gram-negative, 7 gram-positive bacteria and 5 yeast-molds. As the results of the analysis, the highest antibacterial activity was recorded against S. typhimurium from gram-negative bacteria with inhibition zone ranging as (13.70±0.10-9.70±0.10 mm) and S. aureus from gram-positive bacteria with inhibition zone ranging as (9.30±0.10-6.80±0.10 mm). Additionally, the highest antifungal activity was obtained against C. albicans from yeast-molds with inhibition zone ranging as (10.10±0.10-6.10±0.10 mm).

Topographic controls in the distributions of tree species on the Karadağ Massif, NE Turkey

In this study, it was aimed to reveal the relationships between the distribution of tree species in the mountainous land on the Karadağ massif located in the transition zone of the Canik-Giresun mountains and the Trabzon mountains sites, and topographic variables. Results of independent t-test and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) indicated that Carpinus orientalis and Quercus petraea showed high ecological tolerance to humid-drought sites, whereas it limited the distribution of Castanea sativa in more humid areas. Although Alnus glutinosa, Fagus orientalis and Picea orientalis show similar ecological characteristics, it is likely that these species will be affected by the rainfall on the Canik-Giresun mountains along with the increasing fog in the upper altitudes of the Trabzon mountains. With increasing urbanization in sub-altitudes close to the coast, negative interventions may limit forests to steep slopes that are unsuitable for agriculture and settlement. Therefore, the drought-resistant Pinus sylvestris that can go down to the coast, the drought-resistant naturalized Robinia pseudoacacia, and Pinus pinea that is characteristic tree of the Mediterranean climate, which are distributed in the sub-altitudes of the Trabzon mountains site, are remarkable in terms of the impact of environmental variables. Given the current social-ecological dynamics, particularly in mountainous areas, which are highly fragile landscapes; understanding these relationships can help to guide appropriate future management strategy in the area and around. Key words: Eastern Black Sea region, environmental variables, sites, independent t-test, PCA

Ecological structure: production of organic impregnation material from mussel shell and combustion

In the research, sea mussel shell (Chamelea gallina) powders were impregnated on the samples of Eastern spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.) and Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) by dipping method at different concentrations (1%, 5%, 10%, 15%). To investigate the level of use in the wood industry and especially its effects against fire; adhesion, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) test measurements were carried out. According to the TGA results, while the residue quantity in the spruce wood sample was the highest at 5%, the residue amount in the chestnut wood sample was the highest at 15%. With increasing amounts of mussel shell powder, the limiting oxygen index values in both wood species samples increased. As a result, it was discovered that impregnating wood samples with mussel shell powder improved the wood's fire resistance.

Abies nordmanniana and Picea orientalis forests from the Colchic region (Western Caucasus) and new concept of Euxine dark coniferous forests classification in the Braun-Blanquet system

A classification system of the Colchic spruce-fir forests (the Western Caucasus) was developed using the Brawn-Blanquet method. Two new associations Dryopterido caucasicae–Abietetum nordmannianae ass. nov., Pruno laucerasi–Abietetum nordmannianae ass. nov. and new alliance Dryopterido caucasicae–Abietion nordmannianae all. nov. were proposed after the comparative syntaxonomic analysis of dark coniferous forests from the Euxine province. Diagnostic species of the alliance are Acer pseudoplatanus, Actaea spicata, Athyrium filix-femina, Dentaria bulbifera, Dryopteris carthusiana, D. filix-mas, Fagus orientalis, Geranium robertianum, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Impatiens noli-tangere, Oxalis acetosella, Paris incompleta, Polystichum aculeatum, Ranunculus grandiflorus, Rubus caucasicus, Salvia glutinosa, Symphytum grandiflorum. All described Colchic associations and alliance were placed in the order Abieti nordmannianae– Piceetalia orientalis Coban et Willner 2019 and the class Asaro europaeai–Abietetea sibiricae Ermakov et al. in Willner et al. 2016 uniting West Palearctic dark coniferous subnemoral forests from Europe, Asia Minor, Southern Urals and Western Siberia.

The epiphytic bryophyte succession of Picea orientalis forests on the Kumbet High Plateau (Giresun-Turkey)

In this study, the epiphytic bryophyte succession of Picea orientalis forests on the K?mbet High Plateau (Giresun-Turkey) were studied. A total of 21 epiphytic bryophyte species were determined (16 mosses and 5 liverworts). The epiphytic bryophyte communities were sampled in 60 sample plots taken from the trunks of Picea orientalis, each of which was 20 ? 20 cm in size. The Index of Ecological Significance (IES), based on a combination of the relative frequency and mean cover of epiphytic bryophytes, was used to evaluate the abundance of bryophyte communities in epiphytic habitats on the tree trunks. In addition, multivariate classification techniques (TWINSPAN and DECORANA) were used to classify the community structures in successional stages. TWINSPAN divided the 60 sample plots into two main groups: a) the lower base communities (LB) and b) the middleupper zone communities (MU). Moreover, the middle-upper zone communities (MU) were divided into two sub-groups associated with the successional gradient (MU1 and MU2). DECORANA classified these communities along the ordination axes 1 and 3 related to the height gradient of Picea orientalis and the moisture (from mesic to xeric) gradient of the epiphytic habitat. While Exsertotheca crispa, Cynodontium fallax, Lewinskya striata, and Habrodon perpusillus were only found on old spruce trees, Drepanium fastigiatum was only found on young trees and Lophocolea heterophylla was only found on middle-aged trees.

Evaluation of pit dimensions and uptake of preservative solutions in wood after permeability improvement by bioincising

ABSTRACT Bioincising is a biotechnological process to improve the permeability of wood by biological organisms. In recent years, there has been a great interest to determine the changes in the anatomical structure of wood as a result of bioincising process. In this study, the effects of bioincising by Physisporinus vitreus on the pit structure and permeability of Picea orientalis L. sapwood and heartwood were studied. Bioincised and non-bioincised samples were then treated with micronized copper quaternary and Celcure AC-500 wood preservatives by either dipping or vacuum method. The copper distribution and amount of copper retained in treated wood were evaluated by SEM-EDX and ICP-OES, respectively. The area of copper fixation in treated wood was also measured by the ArcGIS software package. The effects of P. vitreus activity were examined in the wood microstructure after bioincising by light microscope and SEM analyses on radial sections. After the bioincising, a significant increase was observed in the uptake of wood preservatives by vacuum, particularly in heartwood. The measurements on bordered pit, crossfield pit, and ray tracheid bordered pit dimensions in the microstructure of wood indicated that the degradation of pits was the most important factor in improved penetration and uptake of preservative solutions employed.

Chemical, hygroscopic, and mechanical properties of various wood species heat treated via the ThermoWood® method

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dissipation spectrometry, dimensional stability, and compressive strength tests were conducted parallel to the fibers on various heat-treated trees, i.e., narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl), aspen (Populus tremula L.), Oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.), and Uludağ fir (Abies bornmüelleriana Mattf.), which grow naturally in forests in Turkey. Panels made from these trees were first heat treated via the ThermoWood® method, producing ThermoWood® panels. Then, FTIR, as well as energy dissipation spectrometry analysis, dimensional stability, and compressive strength tests were performed on test samples prepared from the panels. The FTIR data showed that the hemicelluloses were degraded in the ThermoWood® test samples and the proportion of cellulose increased. The energy dissipation spectrometry results showed that the amount of carbon increased, the amount of oxygen decreased, while the amount of hydrogen remained approximately the same in the ThermoWood® panels compared to the control samples. It was determined that the proportion of silicon increased in the narrow-leaved ash panels. In addition, among the physical properties, the amount of shrinkage and swelling decreased in all the tested ThermoWood® panels compared to the control samples, whereas the compressive strength values, which are considered a mechanical property, increased.

Influence of soil properties on millipede (Diplopoda) communities in forest stands of various tree species

Although millipedes are faunistically among the best studied groups of edaphon in Europe, there is still a lack of available information on the ecological requirements of particular species. Habitat preferences that determine the distribution of species are largely controlled by soil properties, habitat structure and microclimate. In forests, habitat features are predominantly driven by the properties of woody tree species. Millipedes, like other saprophages, are influenced by the characteristics of litter and soil. However, the effect of tree species on millipede communities has not been investigated in forest stands consisting of several autochthonous or allochthonous tree species. Our study examines the effect of soil properties related to several autochthonous and allochthonous tree species on millipede communities. The research was carried out at 9 stands in the Arboretum Mlyňany (western Slovakia). Each stand represents a monoculture of one of 9 tree species: 4 autochthonous species (Picea abies, Taxus baccata, Quercus cerris, and Carpinus betulus) and 5 allochthonous species (Picea orientalis, Pinus nigra, Pinus ponderosa, Thuja occidentalis, and Castanea sativa). The results of this research confirmed relationships between (1) the soil pH and the total activity-density of millipedes, (2) the soil pH and the structure of the millipede communities, (3) the soil conductivity and the structure of the millipede communities, and (4) the leaf litter pH and the equitability of the millipede communities. In terms of the total activity-density and species richness of the millipedes, forest stands with autochthonous tree species provided more favourable conditions for millipedes than forest stands with allochthonous tree species. Millipedes achieved high abundance and diversity in these stands and can therefore contribute to the faster decomposition of dead organic matter and nutrient recycling in forest ecosystems.

Inventory of vascular spore plants and gymnosperms of the Kabardino-Balkar State Highland Reserve

The Kabardino-Balkar State Highland Reserve (KBGWZ) was established in 1976 to protect the alpinefloristic and faunal complexes of the Central Caucasus. The flora of the reserve includes about 1000 species of vascularplants. The inventory showed the presence in its flora of 40 species of vascular spore plants belonging to the divisionsLycopodiophyta (5 species, 2 families), Polypodiophyta (35 species, 12 families). Gymnosperms are represented by thedivisions Pinophyta, containing 3 families and 7 taxa of the species rank and below, as well as the division Gnetophytawith one representative of the genus Ephedra. Among the protected plants in the Red Book of the Russian Federation(2008), Taxus baccata is included. Asplenium scolopendrium (sub nom. Phyllitis scolopendrium), Ceterach officinarum andPolystichum lonchitis are in the Red Data Book of Kabardino-Balkar (2018). Among gymnosperms, Abies nordmannianaand Picea orientalis are also regionally protected species.

Anatomical structure and degradation characteristics of bioincised oriental spruce wood by Physisporinus vitreus

ABSTRACT Even though oriental spruce (Picea orientalis L.), a common species in the East Black Sea Region of Turkey, is used in a wide range of applications, its wood has low permeability. This study investigated the degradation effects of the bioincising process to improve its treatability with wood preservatives on the microstructure of oriental spruce wood. Test samples were previously subjected to bioincising by Physisporinus vitreus fungus, and the bioincised samples were examined under both a light microscope and scanning electron microscope to observe the effects of the bioincising on the anatomical properties. Bordered pits on the longitudinal tracheid radial walls, piceoid-type cross-field pits, ray tracheid bordered pits, and ray tracheid cell walls in the earlywood and latewood regions within a growth ring were particularly subjected to anatomical evaluations. In the study, the degradation intensity in the samples after the bioincising was well correlated with the weight losses occurred. Splits and factures were determined on the tori of bordered pits on the tracheid cell walls while tears and cracks were present on the pit apertures. The results also show that P. vitreus, a Type I and II white rot fungus, may cause a Type I soft rot.

Effect of Using Urea Formaldehyde Modified with Extracts in Plywood on Formaldehyde Emission

Formaldehyde-based adhesives are used in the forestry industry. This is because formaldehyde is inexpensive, easy to use and resistant to moisture; it also has particular mechanical effects. Formaldehyde has both advantages and disadvantages. It is known that various diseases such as lung cancer occur in humans as a result of the release of formaldehyde into the air during and after board production. In this study, a urea formaldehyde glue mixture was prepared by using four different fillers (extract of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and elm (Ulmus glabra) bark, extract of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) husk and acorn tannins) at two different ratios. The bonding shear strength of pine (Pinus sylvestris) and spruce (Picea orientalis) plywood produced with urea formaldehyde adhesive was tested according to EN 314-1 standard. All plywood, except the plywood with acorn tannin, met the requirements of the standard. A formaldehyde emission test of the plywood was carried out in accordance with EN 713-3 standard. With this approach, it is possible to quickly determine formaldehyde emissions. Experimental results were obtained for subsequent measurements, including chamber tests. It was observed that the elm bark extract reduced the formaldehyde emission of pine plywood by 40 %, while other fillers reduced it by 3-37 %.

Increasing the impregnability of Oriental spruce wood via microwave pretreatment

Microwave (MW) pretreatment was used to increase the impregnability of Oriental spruce sapwood (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.). Wood samples with moisture contents of 55% and 83% were subjected to different MW energy treatments (1156 MJ/m3 and 1542 MJ/m3). Additionally, the mechanical properties of the treated wood samples were tested to determine the degradation caused by exposure to the MW radiation. According to the test results, the average preservative material retention rates increased by 47.5% and 70% for the samples with initial moisture contents of 55% and 83%, respectively, compared to the reference samples. The mechanical properties of the MW pretreated wood samples decreased within the range of 1.7% to 2.9% in the case of the compression strength; changed within the range of (+)1.9% to (-)6.1% in case of the bending strength; and changed within the range of (+)0.9% to (-)6.2% in case of the modulus of elasticity (MOE). The application of MW energy at different power settings on the samples with similar moisture levels was determined to have no impact on the mechanical properties of treated wood.

Morphological and chemical analysis of Hylotrupes bajulus (old house borer) larvae-damaged wood and its FTIR characterization

In this study, the biodegradation of wood and chemical changes caused by the Hylotrupes bajulus beetle were revealed for the first time using FTIR spectroscopy. In the study, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), fir (Abies nordmanniana), and spruce (Picea orientalis) wood species were exposed to damage by H. bajulus larvae for four months. Morphological measurements and chemical analysis were carried out for the fine powdery dust (FPD) and frass (FR) produced by H. bajulus and compared to control samples. In addition, the FPD and FR of the larvae were examined by FTIR analysis and changes in the wood structure were determined. According to the morphological measurement data obtained from the study, the dimensions of the larval FR were 1 × 0.55 mm screened at 20-mesh, and 0.37 × 0.24 mm at 60-mesh. Holocellulose analysis showed that less holocellulose was detected in the FR and FPD than in the control wood. In the sugar analysis performed via HPLC, the glucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, and arabinose components decreased compared to the control wood, whereas the content of acid-insoluble lignin increased. The FTIR spectra of the wood species (especially in Scots pine) showed that the carbohydrate band intensity at 1735, 1370, 1321, and 897 cm−1 decreased and the carbohydrate bands at 1735, 1321, 1369, and 897 cm−1 were nearly absent in the FPD and FR after H. bajulus larva degradation. However, absorption band intensity at 1508, 1458, 1268, and 1031 cm−1 related to the lignin bands increased significantly. According to these results, H. bajulus larvae degraded cellulose and hemicellulose from the wood components, but they did not degrade lignin.

Differentiation of ecological niches of the forest-forming species in the Caucasus

Adaptations ofAbies nordmanniana, Picea orientalis, Pinus sylvestris, Fagus orientalis, and Carpinus betulusto the abiotic environmental conditions of the study area largely determined their predicted distribution in the Caucasus. The ecological niches of the species mostly coincided in two analyzed complex environmental factors (characteristics of water regime and topographic parameters). The complex humidity factor was the main factor determining the potential distribution the forest-forming species in the Caucasus (65% of the contribution in the Maxent models). Topographic ENVIREM predictors were also significant in the species distribution (20% of the contribution in the models).Abies nordmannianaandFagus orientaliswere the most sensitive to the humidity factor, whilePinus sylvestrisdepended largely on the topographic factors. The similarity of the distribution potential of the studied species in the Caucasus was explained largely by a high degree of overlap of ecological niches (Schoener’s D = 0.55-0.79) and their visual overlap in the orthogonal space of the analyzed ecological factors. The largest Schoener’s D indexes were observed for the pairsPinus sylvestris–Picea orientalis,Abies nordmanniana–Picea orientalis,Fagus orientalis–Picea orientalis, andFagus orientalis–Carpinus betulus.Carpinus betulus,Fagus orientalisandPinus sylvestrishad the widest ecological niches.