Picea Orientalis Research Articles

Physical Properties of Seeds of Eleven Spruce Species

Information about the variations and correlations between the physical properties of seeds is essential for designing and modeling seed processing operations. The aim of this study was to determine the variations in the basic physical properties of seeds of selected spruce species and to identify the correlations between these attributes for the needs of the seed sorting processes. Terminal velocity, thickness, width, length, mass, and the angle of external friction were determined in the seeds of 11 spruce species. The measured parameters were used to calculate three aspect ratios (geometric mean diameter, sphericity index, and specific mass) of each seed. The average values of the basic physical properties of the analyzed seeds were determined in the following range: terminal velocity—5.25 to 8.34 m s−1, thickness—1.10 to 2.32 mm, width—1.43 to 3.19 mm, length—2.76 to 5.52 mm, the angle of external friction—23.1 to 30.0°, and mass—2.29 to 18.57 mg. The seeds of Jezo spruce and Meyer’s spruce were most similar to the seeds of other spruce species, whereas oriental spruce seeds differed most considerably from the remaining seeds. Our findings indicate that spruce seeds should be sorted primarily with the use of mesh sieves with longitudinal openings to obtain fractions with similar seed mass and to promote even germination.

Optimization of tannin extraction stage from oriental spruce and oak bark

Ulkemizde ormancilik faaliyetleri sonucunda ve ahsap levha ureten sanayi kuruluslarinda uretim prosesi sonucunda onemli miktarda atik durumunda kabuk ortaya cikmaktadir. Yakilmak disinda degerlendirilmeyen bu atik kabuklarin tanen bakimindan zengin oldugu bilinmektedir. Kabuklardan tanen eldesinde kullanilan cozucu turu, ekstraksiyon yontem ve parametrelerinin optimize edilmesi kritik onemdedir. Dogru ekstraksiyon parametreleri ile gerceklestirilen ekstraksiyonlar ile tanende ekstraksiyon asamasinda ortaya cikabilecek otokondenzasyon reaksiyonlari, yuksek sicaklik kaynakli termal bozunma etkileri, ekstrakt safliginin ve reaktivitesinin azalmasi gibi olumsuzluklar onlenebilir. Bunlarin yaninda ekstraksiyon optimizasyonu islemi ile daha kisa surede daha az cozucu ve enerji kullanimi ile verimlilik artirilabilir. Bu calismada, orman isletmelerinde kesim sonrasi ortaya cikan dogu ladini (Picea orientalis) kabuklari ve ahsap levha endustrisinde levha uretimi sonrasi ortaya cikan endustriyel atik mese (Qercus spp.) kabuklari su, farkli oranlarda sodyum sulfit (Na2SO3), sodyum karbonat (Na2CO3), ure (CH4N2O) ve bunlarin karisimini iceren sulu cozeltiler ile 70°C ve 100°C ekstraksiyon sicakligi, 1/6, 1/8 ve 1/10 kabuk:cozucu oraninda, 1, 3, ve 5 saat ekstraksiyon suresi gibi parametreler kullanilarak ekstraksiyonlar gerceklestirilmistir. Ekstraksiyon cozeltilerinde verim, stiasny sayisi ve pH degerleri belirlenmistir. Elde edilen sonuclara gore, ladin ve mese kabuklari icin % 2 sodyum sulfit+% 0.50 sodyum karbonat cozeltisi ile 1/8 kabuk cozucu oraninda ve 1 saat ekstraksiyon suresinde optimum sonuclar elde edilmistir. Kabuk ekstraksiyon cozeltileri pH degerleri, sicak su ekstraksiyon cozeltilerinde pH 4.5 civarinda iken sodyum sulfit ve sodyum karbonatli cozeltilerin pH’i 7 civarindadir.

Türkiye’nin kuzeydoğusundaki yüksek dağ ormanlarında meşcere kuruluşları: Kavron Vadisi örneği

Aim of the study: In this study, cohort structures of the high mountain forests in northeast Turkey were investigated.Material and Methods: Eighteen plots were selected in six sampling units. Treeline, timberline and sub-timberline stands were sampled in each unit. Main results: Structures varied from single-cohort to multi-cohort stands in the research area. The incidence of multiple cohort structures increased towards the timberline and treeline from the sub-timberline. Tree ages ranged from 10 to 150 years in the treeline, 15 to 270 years in the timberline and 13 to 105 years in the sub-timberline. 8 sampled stands were pure and 10 stands were mixed stands. Mixed stands were composed by Sorbus aucuparia, Populus tremula, Fagus orientalis, Picea orientalis and Abies nordmanniana in the treeline. Picea orientalis, Fagus orientalis and Abies nordmanniana were tree species in mixed stands in the timberline and sub-timberline. However, Picea orientalis was dominant in all zones. Numbers of trees in the tree collectives ranged from 2 to 17 in the treeline, 3 to 9 in the timberline and 2 to 3 in the sub-timberline stands. Mean areas per tree in the collectives were 1.77 m2 in the treeline, 2.56 m2 in the timberline and 2.51 m2 in the sub-timberline. Numbers of tree collectives ranged from 6 to 7 in the treeline, 2 to 5 in the timberline and 2 to 3 in the sub-timberline stands. Research highlights: Multi-cohort structures and tree collectives are key factors in silvicultural applications in high mountain forests. Silvicultural treatment such as single-tree selection method, patch and group selection method can be provided because of being suitable for multi-cohort structure.

Investigation of natural durability of some native and exotic wood species against Hylotrupes bajulus (Cerambycidae) and Anobium punctatum (Anobiidae)

Aim of study: In this study, natural durability of some domestic and foreign wood species against Hylotrupes bajulus and Anobium punctatum larvae were tested on laboratory scaleArea of study: This study was conducted at Department of Forest Products Engineering in Duzce University, Turkey and Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Germany.Material and Methods: Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), fir (Abies nordmanniana), spruce (Picea orientalis), cedar (Cedrus libani), poplar (Populus tremula) and beech (Fagus orientalis) woods were used to test H. bajulus larvae (EN 46-1). Alder (Alnus glutinosa), oak (Quercus cerris), poplar (Populus tremula), beech (Fagus orientalis), maple (Acer carpinifolium), ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), teak (Tectona grandis), ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon), movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus), dahoma (Piptadeniastrum africanum), iroko (Chlorophora excelsa), bubinga (Guibourtia tessmannii) and sapele (Entandrophragma cylindiricum) woods were used for A. punctatum larvae (EN 49-1). At the end of the experiment, the mortality rates of the larvae were determined and the size and weights of the surviving larvae were measured.Main results: F. orientalis and C. libani were found to be the most resistant wood species against H. bajulus larvae while A. nordmanniana was the least resistant. All tropical wood species and oak and maple from domestic wood species showed 100% mortality rate therefore found to be the most resistant against A. punctatum larvae. The most vulnerable wood species was found to be alder with a 35% mortality. Research highlights: while F. orientalis, C. libani, and P. tremula were found the most resistance wood species against H. bajulus, P. sylvestris and A. nordmanniana were determined as most vulnerable. All tropical wood species and two domestic species (Q. cerris and A. carpinifolium) showed the highest mortality rate as 100%. The least durable domestic wood was determined as alder.

Environmental changes based on multi-proxy analysis of core sediments in Lake Aktaş, Turkey: Preliminary results

A sediment core covering the last millennium from Lake Aktaş, a shallow alkaline soda lake in the northeast Anatolian highland of Turkey, was studied for pollen and physical and chemical proxies to reconstruct past climate change. The sediments were dated by AMS radiocarbon dating of bulk organic carbon. Among arboreal pollen (AP) from around 930 years ago, dominant trees were Pinus sylvestris, Picea orientalis, Abies, Betula, Fagus, and Quercus. AP exceeded NAP (non-arboreal pollen) in this time, whereas the opposite is the case in a pollen trap in the same region collecting the pollen for one year in 2015–2016. The comparison of modern and fossil pollen influx indicates that in that period trees were more widely distributed around the lake than today, where steppe vegetation now prevails. Inferred causes for the disappearance of trees are anthropogenic impacts and climatic change towards more continental conditions. The results also identify the onset of the Little Ice Age in the NE Anatolian highland of Turkey.

Chemical composition of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis) and oak (Quercus spp.) barks

In this study, the chemical composition of bark from oriental spruce (Picea orientalis), which occur as a result of logging production of forestry enterprises, and oak (Qercus spp.) bark, which are industrial waste of the wood panel industry after board production, were analyzed by wet chemical analysis of wood and analysis methods of phenolic compound. Ash content values of the barks obtained from Artvin and Trabzon area were 4.31% and 3.99%, respectively, while the oak bark samples were 10.02%. Hot water solubility of the spruce bark samples were higher than the oak bark samples. Residual lignin contents of Artvin spruce, Trabzon spruce, and oak were 19.53%, 20.61%, and 18.49%, while α-cellulose contents were 37.28%, 37.92%, and 41.59%, respectively. The results of the total phenol content and butanol-HCl assay showed that Artvin spruce barks had higher values than other bark samples. As hydrolysable tannins, there were gallo tannin in the samples of spruce and oak barks whereas ellagic tannin content has not been determined.

The effects of liquid nitrogen treatment on the some physical and mechanical properties of scots pine and oriental spruce wood

The wood materials widely used from wood construction sector, urban furniture and interior design to furniture sector are renewable resource. Wood has some disadvantages regarding durability to combustion and biological factors. To increase service life especially in urban furniture are coated and/or impregnated against to fire and biological factors. Thus, the wood materials used in construction sector should be treated with fire-retardant chemicals. In this study; Scots pine and Oriental spruce wood materials were exposed to liquid nitrogen for 30 minutes before impregnated with Firetex by using pressure-vacuum method. According to the results, amount of retention in Oriental spruce and Scots pine samples have been increased with liquid nitrogen treatment. Additionally, it was seen that the liquid nitrogen operation had not significant adverse effect on the mechanical properties. Therefore, the liquid nitrogen treatment can apply effectively as a method to improve the impregnability of the wood.

Characteristics of physical properties in soil profiles under selected introduced trees in the Nature Reserve Arboretum Mlyňany, Slovakia

Abstract The relationship between introduced trees roots and soils in which they grow is the most important factor influencing the adaptation, growth and health of these trees. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify which physical soil properties enhance or limit the vitality of the studied introduced trees in the Arboretum Mlyňany. Soil properties were studied in seven soil profiles under dense monocultures of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Juniperus Chinensis, Thuja orientalis, Thuja plicata, Picea orientalis and Pinus nigra. The results showed that all stagnic horizons had exceeded the limit values of total porosity and bulk density, hence these horizons were compacted. Based on the soil and climatic requirements of the examined trees we conclude that the soil properties of their sites in arboretum are suitable for: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Liriodendron tulipifera, Thuja orientalis and Pinus nigra. Nevertheless, physical properties in profiles under Picea orientalis and Juniperus Chinensis do not permit rapid drainage of water, what is unfavourable for healthy development of these two species; while Thuja plicata demanding high moisture supply is grown on soil with high coarse porosity, a prerequisite of fast rainwater drainage. However, since none of the studied introduced trees had suffered from physiological disorders or diseases, they may be declared acclimatized well in the soil-climate conditions described in this study.

Effect of thermal pretreatment on germination of seeds from different provenances of subalpine oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.) forest in Turkey

ABSTRACTWe examined the effect of thermal treatment at two temperatures (60 s of 90°C dry heat and 60 min in 40°C hot water) versus control conditions on the germination of oriental spruce (Picea orientalis (L.) Link.) seeds originating from different subalpine provenances. Cutting test results showed that there was wide variation (between 10% and 90%) in filled seed rates. The results revealed that highest germination yield was attained via the hot water treatment. The maximum germination percentages were observed in seeds from “tree 3” in the first tree collective of provenances 1 (85.33 ± 5.77 control; 88.67 ± 7.02 via the hot water treatment; 82.00 ± 10.58 via the dry heat treatment) and 3 (70.67 ± 17.24 control; 88.00 ± 4.00 via the hot water treatment; 86.67 ± 11.37 via the dry heat treatment). The mean germination percentages were significantly different (p-value < .05): percentage values were 32.57% in provenance 1, 23.22% in provenance 3, 12.25% in provenance 4, and 2.82% in provenance 2. Mean germination time of seeds from different provenances and experiencing various pretreatments showed significant variation. The best pretreatment increase in germination rates was achieved via the wet heat method (60 min in 40°C hot water).

Pest categorisation of Ips sexdentatus.

The Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of the six‐toothed bark beetle, Ips sexdentatus (Börner) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), for the EU. I. sexdentatus is a well‐defined and distinguishable species, native to Eurasia and recognised mainly as a pest of pine (Pinus spp., in the pest's whole range) and spruce (mainly Picea orientalis in Turkey and Georgia). It also might occasionally attack Larix spp. and Abies spp. It is distributed throughout the EU (24 Member States). It is a protected zone quarantine pest in Ireland, Cyprus and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, Isle of Man), listed in Annex IIB of Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Wood, wood products, bark and wood packaging material are considered as pathways for this pest, which is also able to disperse by flight over tens of kilometres. The adults normally establish on fallen or weakened trees (e.g. after a fire or a drought) and can also mass‐attack healthy trees. The males produce aggregation pheromones that attract conspecifics of both sexes. The insects also inoculate pathogenic fungi to their hosts. There are one to five generations per year. The wide current geographical range of I. sexdentatus suggests that it is able to establish anywhere in the EU where its hosts are present. Sanitary thinning or clear‐felling are the major control methods. Pheromone mass‐trapping is also locally implemented. Quarantine measures are implemented to prevent entry into the protected zones. All criteria for consideration as potential protected zone quarantine pest are met. The criteria for considering I. sexdentatus as a potential regulated non‐quarantine pest are not met since plants for planting are not viewed as a pathway.

Comparison of Probe with Bath Ultrasonic Leaching Procedures for Preparation to Heavy Metal Analysis of Bio-Collectors Prior to Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACTBoth comparison and optimization of two sample preparation methods (probe and bath) based on leaching of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) from bio-collector sprouts (Pinus sylvertris L., Picea orientalis L., Thuja orientalis L.) under ultrasonic effect has been examined. The best analytical conditions influencing leaching such as sonication times, acid type, acid concentrations, ultrasound amplitude and sample position (wet, dry and grinding) were determined. Leachatants obtained upon sonication were directly nebulized into an air-acetylene flame for fast metal determination by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Optimum conditions for ultrasonic metal leaching were as follows: a 15 min for probe or 30 min for bath sonication time, wet sample position, nitric acid (HNO3) solvent, 1% (w/v) for probe or 2% (w/v) for bath solvent concentration and 20% amplitude for probe. Comparable results for the ultrasonic leaching with probe (UL-P) and the ultrasonic leaching with bath (UL-B) for metals in certified reference material and bio-collectors have been obtained. Besides, UL-P reduces the time required for all treatments with UL-B approximately from 30 min to 15 min. The accuracy of methods was tested either by comparing obtained results with those of ashing method (AM) or by application on a certified reference material (CRM-7, Tea Leaves). The recoveries of metals using CRM-7 ranged from 94% to 104% for UL-P and 91% to 101% for the UL-B. The precision variance either between UL-P and UL-B or UL-P and AM was not significant at 0.05 probability for all metals. The relative standard deviation % was obtained between 3.4–7.6% (n = 3) and 4.7–9.5% (n = 3) for UL-P and UL-B, respectively, depending on the analyte.

Modeling of stem taper model with mixed effects approach for oriental spruce

Dogu ladini (Picea orientalis L.) ulkemizin onemli agac turlerinden birisidir. Bu nedenle, ladin ormanlarinin bugun ve gelecege donuk yonetim ve planlama stratejilerinin gelistirilmesinde, turun buyume ve hasilatina iliskin bilgilere ihtiyac duyulmaktadir. Ormanlarin buyume ve hasilatina iliskin tahminlerde kullanilan en onemli yapi taslarindan birisi, agac hacim tahminleridir. Govde capi denklemleri, bir agaca iliskin toplam ve ticari hacim tahminlerinde en guvenilir ve dogru yaklasimlardan biri olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu calismada, Ardahan-Posof Yoresi dogu ladini mescerelerinden elde edilen 170 agac kullanilarak dogrusal olmayan karisik etkili modelleme (NLME) yaklasimi ile govde capi modeli gelistirilmistir. Karisik etkili modelleme, bir agacin kendi icinde ve agaclar arasinda govde formu acisindan degisimin hesaplanmasina imkân saglamaktadir. Calismanin birinci asamasinda, oncelikle hangi parametrelerin tesadufi etkili parametrelerle genisletilmesi gerektiginin ortaya konmasi icin modelin bir ve iki parametresine tesadufi parametreler eklenerek olasi tum kombinasyonlar test edilmistir. Modele tesadufi etkili parametrelerin eklenmesi ayni agac icin elde edilen hatalar arasinda var olan korelasyonun hesaplanmasi icin yeterli olmamis, hata terimine iliskin varyans-kovaryans matrisi birinci derece otoregresif hata yapisi AR(1) ile modellenmistir. Karisik etkili modele AR(1)’in eklenmesi ile hatalar arasindaki otokorelasyonun tamaminin uzaklastirilmasi mumkun olmustur. Ikinci asamada, govde uzerinde farkli noktalarda olculen cap degerleri kullanilarak kalibrasyon sonuclari degerlendirilmistir. Secilen karisik etkili model, hem model gelistirme hem de kalibrasyon icin en iyi sonuclari uretmistir. Genel olarak, kalibrasyon icin toplam boyun %40-80 arasinda olculen ekstra caplarin govde capi modelinin tahmin performansini arttirdigi gozlenmistir. Sonuc olarak model kalibrasyonu, karisik etkili model seciminde onemli bir kriter olarak goz onunde bulundurulmalidir.

Combustion properties of impregnated spruce (Picea orientalis L.) wood

Wooden material is one of the most commonly used construction materials since history of humanity due to its environment friendly and renewable natural source. This structure of wood material is also preferred because it is lightweight, easy to work, resistant to factors such as earthquake and fire, as compared to other used building materials. However, organic structure of the wooden material causes it to be affected negatively because of damages that might occur outdoors under inappropriate conditions. Due to this reason, in this study were investigated effects of various chemicals (impregnated and varnish type), used to prevent environmental damages (biotic, abiotic pests, fire etc.) on combustion resistance of the wood exposed to air conditions for a year. For this purpose, prepared Caucasian spruce (Picea orientalis L.) specimens were surface treated (synthetic and water-based varnish) after impregnated according to ASTM-D 1413-76 principles with various chemicals (Tanalith-E and Wolmanit-CB). Test specimens with impregnated, varnished and processless, were left in outdoor conditions for a year. Combustion experiment was conducted according to the principles in ASTM-E 160-50 combustion test standards. According to the results of the experiment, control and year specimens had close results in the weight loss. Weight loss was found be lower Wolmanit-CB impregnated specimens (92.12%) among the impregnated materials to synthetic varnish coated specimens (% 91.89) among the varnished specimens. It was determined that using Wolmanit-CB for impregnating and synthetic varnish for varnishing would be better according to the results. Furthermore, the amount of O2 (25.84ppm) in control specimens in combustion with flame; the amounts of CO and CO2 (31787, 19.92ppm respectively) in year specimens in combustion without flame and the amount of NO (54.65ppm) in year specimens in glowing was observed to be the highest.

Composition and Biological Activity of Picea pungens and Picea orientalis Seed and Cone Essential Oils.

The increasing consumption of natural products lead us to discover and study new plant materials, such as conifer seeds and cones, which could be easily available from the forest industry as a waste material, for their potential uses. The chemical composition of the essential oils of Picea pungens and Picea orientalis was fully characterized by GC and GC/MS methods. Seed and cone oils of both tree species were composed mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons, among which limonene, α- and β-pinene were the major, but in different proportions in the examined conifer essential oils. The levorotary form of chiral monoterpene molecules was predominant over the dextrorotary form. The composition of oils from P.pungens seeds and cones was similar, while the hydrodistilled oils of P.orientalis seeds and cones differed from each other, mainly by a higher amount of oxygenated derivatives of monoterpenes and by other higher molar mass terpenes in seed oil. The essential oils showed mild antimicrobial action, however P.orientalis cone oil exhibited stronger antimicrobial properties against tested bacterial species than those of P.pungens. Effects of the tested cone essential oils on human skin fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were similar: in a concentration of 0-0.075μl/ml the oils were rather safe for human skin fibroblasts and 0-0.005μl/ml for HMEC-1 cells. IC50 value of Picea pungens oils was 0.115μl/ml, while that of Picea orientalis was 0.105μl/ml. The value of IC50 of both oils were 0.035μl/ml for HMEC-1 cells. The strongest effect on cell viability had the oil from Picea orientalis cones, while on DNA synthesis the oil from Picea pungens cones.

Earthworms (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) near the township Dombay of Teberda Reserve (Northwest Caucasus, Karachay-Cherkessia)

The population and characteristics of biotope distribution of earthworms near the township Dombay of the Teberda Reserve were studied. A mountain-forest belt, sparse growths of trees, elfin woodlands at the top edge of the forest, a sub-alpine meadow and lower mountain pastures were screened. Faunistic and quantitative surveys of earthworms were conducted in the soil and deadwood. The method of excavation and manual disassembly of soil samples was used in soil research. In the study of deadwood, trunks of Fagus orientalis and Picea orientalis of the 2nd and 3rd stages of decomposition were examined manually. Quantitative values were calculated per unit area (1 m2) and unit volume (1 m3). Twelve species of Lumbricidae were described in total. The Crimean-Caucasian endemic polymorphic species Dendrobaena shmidti, represented here by an unpigmented endogeic form, has the greatest abundance, biomass and widespread distribution. The highest species richness of Lumbricidae is in the mountainforest belt, which is inhabited by representatives of four morpho-ecological groups: epigeic, epi-endogeic, endogeic and anecic species. Forest communities are inhabited by 4–9 earthworm species. The lowest species diversity and abundance were observed in the sparse growths of trees, elfin woodlands at the top edge of the forest and the subalpine meadow. The highest abundance and biomass were observed on pasture. The endogeic earthworms were a dominant group in all communities. A high proportion of epigeic species in all forest communities was noted only for deadwood. The epi-endogeic group is represented primarily by Lumbricus rubellus, the abundance of which is particularly high in the pasture. The epi-endogeic species Eisenia fetida was found only in deadwood. The only anecic species, L. terrestris, was encountered in two forest communities and in a garden of Dombay. Small epigeic species Dendrobaena octaedra, Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis and Dendrobaena attemsi play the main role in deadwood decomposition; deadwood serves as the main habitat for these species in spring and summer. Deadwood is an additional habitat for large-sized endogeic and epi-endogeic species; mature and juvenile worms live here in the litter and moss cover, the rotting wood is penetrated only by juveniles of large-sized species.

Attack Density and Distribution of Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) in Standing and Felled Oriental Spruce Trees

The aim of this study is to investigate attack density and distribution of Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in standing and felled oriental spruce, Picea orientalis (L.) Link., trees. For this purpose, a total of 179 standing and 38 felled trees were evaluated. D. micans attacks largely concentrated in the initial several meters of the boles and particularly in the initial 1 m part of both tree groups. 62.53% and 67.22% of EHs in the initial 2 m of boles of standing and felled trees, respectively were counted in the initial 1 meter. In felled trees, the ratios of entrance holes per meter up to the initial 9 m of boles were similar to each other (%7.02-9.24), other than the significant difference in the initial 1 meter (18.96%). Above nine meters, the ratio of entrance holes per meter of boles varied in the range of 0.54% to 3.64%. In the case of standing trees, unsuccessful entrances comprised 23.40% of the total entrances. In the case of felled trees, approximately one in every four entrance holes in the bole section up to the initial 8 m was unsuccessful, as similar to standing trees, whereas one in every three EHs in upper sections was unsuccessful.

First record of Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann, 1794) on non-native spruces in Slovakia - short communication

In 2015, we recorded the first attack of the great spruce bark beetle, Dendroctonus micans (Kugelann) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) on non-native Picea orientalis (L.) and Picea pungens (Engelmann) in Slovakia. To our knowledge, the occurrence of D. micans on P. orientalis in Central Europe has not been described yet. We found that D. micans preferred P. orientalis over P. pungens and other coniferous trees in urban areas. In laboratory conditions, 352 adults of D. micans emerged and only 1 predator, Rhizophagus grandis (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Monotomidae), was recorded. D. micans has a potential to become a serious pest of P. orientalis and P. pungens in urban, and in air-polluted areas.

Determining the Effect of Seasonal Variation in Spruce (Picea orientalis L.) Wood Treated with Various Impregnations on Combustion Resistance

Prepared test specimens were surface treated and coated with synthetic and water-based outdoor varnishes after being chemically impregnated. The test specimens were left outdoors to determine the effects of impregnation and treatment on the wood during each of the four seasons. Caucasian spruce (Picea orientalis L.) test specimens were prepared and combustion analyses were performed. As a result of the combustion test, weight loss results, as compared with the control, were 89% lower in the spring specimens, 90% lower with impregnation, and 90% lower with the synthetic varnish coating. Furthermore, the O2 amount during combustion was found to be the highest in combustion with a flame source in the winter specimens (21%). The CO2 amount was the highest in combustion without a flame source for full-year specimens (20%). The CO amount was the highest in combustion without a flame source of full-year specimens (31,787 ppm), and the NO amount was the highest during glowing of full-year specimens (55 ppm). Final results showed impregnation with Tanalith-E and water-based varnish coating to be the most effective fire protective treatments.

Carbon stock sequesteres from the atmosphere by coniferous forests in Svaneti

Abstract Dark coniferous forests with dominating Caucasian fir are basically distributed in West Georgia. They occupy 153.920 ha with the wood substance stock of 61191,5 thousand m3, respectively making 91,3 and 91,0% of fir woods in Georgia. Forests with dominating oriental spruce are distributed comparatively evenly in Georgia; 55,3% (55354 ha) of spruce stands come to West Georgia. Coniferous forests in Svaneti were chosen as the object of the research. Forests with dominating Caucasian fir occupying 60100 ha in Svaneti have absorbed up to 7,85 million tons of carbon from the atmosphere and annually it sequesters up to 189,3 thousand tons of carbon dioxide. In the forest biomass with dominating Caucasian fir occupying 14345 ha has accumulated up to 1,13 million tons of carbon. Spruce stand annually sequesters up to 35,9 thousand tons of CO2. The Article describes distribution of biomass and carbon stock in dark conferous forests according to the stand age groups and single fractions. High indicators of carbon dioxide annually sequestered by dark coniferous forests of Svaneti Region once again emphasize the special role of forests in the process of air exchange on the Earth.

Determination of chemical changes in heat-treated wood using ATR-FTIR and FT Raman spectrometry

In this study, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Fourier-transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy techniques were used to determine changes in the chemical structure of heat-treated woods. For this purpose, scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.), and oriental spruce (Picea orientalis L.) wood species were heat-treated at different temperatures. The effect of chemical changes on the FT-Raman and ATR-FTIR bands or ratios of heat-treated wood was related with the OH association of cellulose, functional groups, and the aromatic system of lignin. The effects of heat treatment on the carbohydrate and lignin peaks varied depending on the wood species. The spectral changes that occurred after heat treatment reflected the progress of the condensation reaction of lignin. Degradation of hemicelluloses led to a decrease in free hydroxyl groups. High temperature caused crystalline cellulose to increase due to the degradation of amorphous cellulose.