Branch Wood Research Articles

Characterization of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) wood branches as a potential resource for paper production

For sustainable use of lignocellulosic resources, pruned tree branches of cocoa, one of the major evergreen tropical tree crops with significant economic importance worldwide, were investigated as a potential source of kraft pulp. This study determined the chemical composition, fiber dimensions, kraft pulp, and paper properties of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.) branches compared to the deciduous trees traditionally used in the paper industry. A handsheet of cocoa pulp showed promising results with narrow fiber length distribution, high paper density, and high mechanical strength. The yield of kraft pulp made from cocoa branches wood was lower. The tensile and burst indices of cocoa pulp handsheet were 2 and 2.5 times higher than that of hardwood traditionally used in the paper industry. These results suggest a potential use of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) tree branch wood for pulp production using the kraft process.

Utilization of Three Species of Mangrove Wood Branches for Briquettes and Its Preference as Alternative Solid Biofuel

Wood briquettes - one of the biomass energies - were produced from three species of mangrove wood branches, namely mata buaya (Bruguiera sexangula), buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha), and bakau minyak (Rhizophora apiculata) using three types of starch adhesives made from tapioca, maize, and potato. This study aimed to evaluate user preferences for the kind of fuel, and responses to acceptance of the use of briquettes, and to analyze the effect of attributes on interest in using wood briquettes from mangrove wood branches. Cylindrical briquettes were produced in dimensions of 3 cm diameter and 4 cm thickness. After obtaining all the data, variance analysis and chi-square analysis were conducted. Before conducting the preference survey, evaluations of calorific value and color performance were carried out. The wood briquettes of this study have a calorific value that has met the ISO 17225-3:2-2020 standard of class A2. Even though the three types of wood briquettes differ in their L* (brightness), a* (red/green), and b* (blue/yellow) values, each briquette has a neutral color. A survey was conducted on 60 respondents using a questionnaire to evaluate user preferences for the type of fuel, responses to acceptance of the use of briquettes, and the effect of attributes on interest in using wood briquettes from mangrove wood branches. The results showed that gas is still the most preferred fuel by respondents, with as many as 35 people (58.33%). Meanwhile, 54 respondents (90%) stated they would use wood briquettes. Wood briquettes made of Bakau minyak wood species were the most preferred, with as many as 28 people (46.67%). The chi-square analysis results suggested no relationship between the preference for using wood briquettes from mangrove wood branches and fuel attributes. Based on this study, wood briquettes of mangrove wood branches have the potential to be an alternative fuel as long as their availability is easy to obtain.

A nonlinear elastic-plastic model describing the bending and fracture behavior of Caragana korshinskii Kom. branch wood

ABSTRACT Caragana korshinskii Kom. branch (CKB), a vital biomass source in northwest China, has not been thoroughly studied in terms of its bending fracture mechanics. This research aims to establish a nonlinear constitutive model that clarifies the fracture behavior of CKB when subjected to bending loads. The nonlinear bending fracture process of CKB was characterized through a three-point bending test, revealing stages of elastic deformation, elastic-plastic transition, and plastic fracture. A power-enhanced elastic-plastic model combined with continuous damage mechanics theory was used to develop an intrinsic bending fracture model, from which the equations governing bending damage evolution were derived. The model's accuracy was validated with simulations in Abaqus/Explicit, showing that CKB from various growth sites demonstrated distinct nonlinear bending behaviors. At the critical damage strain, cumulative damage led to a reduction in the effective elastic modulus, with the bending fracture curve exhibiting a power function trend. The parameters of the nonlinear elastic-plastic constitutive model were derived through curve fitting, yielding coefficients of determination (R²) exceeding 0.99. The consistency between the trends observed in actual tests and simulations, along with a peak bending force error of 7.7%, validated the finite element model's reliability and confirmed the intrinsic model's accuracy.

Inventory of Macroscopic Fungi in Protected Forest Areas Malaka District Chartery

Mushrooms are eukaryotic organisms with spores, without chlorophyll that reproduce sexually and asexually, mushrooms can be used by humans as food ingredients and ingredients for traditional and modern medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine the type and habitat characteristic of macroscopic fungi conducted in the kateri procted forest area Malaka Regency. Using exploration and identification methods where the plant identification process is a process of matching a plant according to a particular taxonomi on each research transect line. There are 28 species of macroscopic fungi namely Dacrymyces stilatus, Auricularia auricula-judae, Xylaria hypoxylon, Daldinia concentrica, Microporus xanthopus, Earliella scabrosa, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Polyporus alveolaris, Lentinus squarrosulus, Hexagonia tenuis, Trametes pubescens, Tyromyces chioneus, Marasmius oreades, Marasmius haematocephalus, Baespora myosura, Marasmius rotula, Marasmius andorsaceus, Trogia infundibiliformis, Leucocoprinus brebissonii, Lepiota helveola. Agaricus micromegathus, Bolbitius vitelinus, Mycena albicocapilaris, Crepidotus variabilis, Parasola plicatilis, Coprinopsis fragilisimus, Lycoperdon pyriforme, Pleurotus djamor. Divided into 5 Orders namely Dacrymycetales, Auriculariales, Xylariales, Polyporales, Agaricales. And 12 family namely Dacrymycetaceae, Auriculariaceae, Xylariaceae, Polyporaceae, Marasmiaceae, Agaricaceae, Bolbitiaceae, Mycenaceae, Crepidotaceae, Psathyrellaceae, Schizophyllaceae, Pleurotaceae. The most abundant habitat Characteristics were on rotten wood branches as many 9 species, on dead wood stem many as 8 species, in leaf little many as 4 species and in soil with hums many as 7 species.

Softwood branches modelled as a composite beam of compression and opposite wood: investigation of bending resistance

ABSTRACT Wood branches subjected to bending develop reaction wood to accommodate both tensile and compressive stresses. For softwood, such as Norway spruce and Scots pine, compression wood (CW) develops in the lower parts, while opposite wood (OW) develops on the upper parts of the branch. It is likely that the ratio of CW to OW is optimised for mechanical load bearing by nature. This hypothesis was tested with an analytical beam model using experimental data of stiffness and strength of CW and OW at CW fractions from 0 to 100%. It was found that there is indeed a maximum bending moment capacity around 35% CW, like literature values of CW content in softwood branches. For all compositions, compressive or tensile strength of OW was governing the behaviour.

Plant Leaf Functional Adaptions along Urban-Rural Gradients of Jinhua City.

Environmental changes induced by urbanization may significantly alter plant survival strategies, thereby introducing uncertainties in their ability to withstand extreme heat. This study, centered on Jinhua City, distinguished urban, suburban, and rural areas to represent the various intensities of urbanization. It examined the leaf function properties of evergreen and deciduous trees common in these regions, focusing on leaf and branch characteristics. Employing an analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA), and path analysis (PA) of the plant functional traits and the climatic factors of each region, this study assessed the impact of urbanization on plant survival strategies. By tracking changes in plant functional traits from June to August, it explored the capacity of plants to acclimate to urban-warming-related heat stress across different urbanization gradients. The findings revealed that leaf thickness (LT) and stomatal size (SS) initially decreased and then increased, whereas specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf tissue density (LTD) first rose and then declined, from rural to urban regions. From June to August, branch wood density (WD), chlorophyll (Chl) content, LTD, and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) increased, whereas SLA and leaf water content (LWC) diminished, in all regions. PCA suggested that there was no significant change in the resource allocation strategy of plants (p > 0.05), with drought tolerance significantly reduced in the suburbs on the gradient of urbanization (p < 0.05). During the summer, with high temperature, plants were predominantly biased towards slow-return, conservative strategies, particularly among evergreen species. Compared to precipitation, PA revealed a significant urban warming effect. During summer, temperature was the main factor influencing resource investment strategy and drought resistance, with a notably stronger impact on the former. The high temperature in summer promoted a conservative survival strategy in plants, and the urbanization effect increased their tolerance to high temperatures.

Branch Break Assessment: An Unexpected Accident with a Professional Arborist

Abstract Background Arborists are important in both the maintenance of urban trees and research on forest canopies. Tree climbing is hazardous work. This study investigated the causes of a branch-breaking accident involving a certified arborist. Methods The branch was 11 cm in diameter. The density and mechanics of the branch wood were studied; the measurable stresses and deformations until the material ruptured were analyzed. The position of the tree climber and the applied forces were calculated, including the shear stresses, the bending moment, and the support reaction suffered at the point of rupture. Results The shear stress grew exponentially from V = 25.78 MPa; a shifting of the angle of the lanyard by &gt; 45° and moving one meter toward the tip of the branch caused a 64.67% increase in shear stress. The support distance of the arborist’s body on the one anchor point on the branch, combined with the angle of force on the same branch, caused the imminent rupture of the branch’s base. The study provides evidence that the arborists should avoid traveling over small horizontal branches using only one safety point with lanyards.

Physical, chemical, and thermal properties of branches mangrove wood of Bruguiera gymnorhiza during conversion into charcoal and charcoal briquette

This study investigated physical, chemical, and thermal properties of the branch’s mangrove wood of Bruguiera gymnorhiza during conversion into charcoal and charcoal briquette. Two types of the branches were wood only (WO) and wood with bark (WB). Physical property of moisture content (MC) dropped from 34.76% to 3.02% for WO and 33.71% to 6.46% for WB when the wood was converted into charcoal briquette. In chemical property, carbon dioxide increased up to more than 90% for both WO and WB samples when the branches wood experienced carbonization into charcoal. Thermal properties comprised of calorific value showed positive characteristics of the branches wood when they were converted into bioenergy such as charcoal and briquette charcoal. The calorific value (MJ/kg) increased from 16.33 to 29.57 and 28.08, respectively for WO and from 15.98 to 26.72 and 26.07, respectively for WB. All these values indicated that branches of mangrove wood originated from B. gymnorhiza were prospective to be developed as source of bioenergy, particularly in the form of charcoal and briquette charcoal.

Characterization of Asoka (Saraca Indica L.) branch wood for pulp and paper manufacturing

Asoka (Saraca indica L.) branch wood was evaluated for its chemical composition, morphological features, kraft pulping behavior, and physical properties. The Asoka used in this study contained low amounts of cellulose and hemicellulose, but higher amounts of lignin and ash. It was found that the morphological indices of Asoka branch wood were mostly adequate for pulping and papermaking. The pulping of this wood was performed using chemi-mechanical pulping (CMP), conventional kraft pulping, and soda pulping processes under different conditions, i.e., active alkali and anthraquinone (AQ) addition. The results showed that alkaline pupling and CMP provided low screened yield values. Acceptable kappa numbers and reject levels were obtained at 22% active alkali of soda and kraft-AQ pulpings. CMP pulp showed higher brightness and screened yield than that of alkaline pulps. Alkaline pulpings of Asoka branch wood provided slightly different strength properties of paper sheets than those of CMP pulp. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that Asoka branch wood is more suitable as a raw material for mechanical pulping than it is for alkaline pulping.

Complex-Type Foreign Body Penetrating Injuries of the Craniofacial Region and Surgical Management: A Report of Three Cases.

Craniofacial penetrating injuries are not a rare sight in the career of oral and maxillofacial surgeons and trainees, but bizarre craniomaxillofacial sharp injuries caused by peculiar foreign bodies to the head and neck region, complicating and obscuring the vital structures, are seldomfound. Foreign bodies such as lunch boxes, wooden branches or twigs are peculiarly associated with penetrating/perforating craniofacial severe impaled injuries with dramatic consequences. Three cases are reported, with elaborate descriptions of the site, kind, and severity of the injuries. Cases 1 and 3, wooden impalement injuries into the neck region and sensitive orbital region, respectively, necessitating immediate surgical retrieval as in both cases. In case 2, 4-year old sustained an injury with a sharp rim of the lunch box, obscuring the entire craniofacial region and impeding the primary care and assessment.Cases represent the peculiarity of the injuries caused by unusual foreign bodies and how their uniqueness demanded a different surgical intervention.The need for a multidisciplinary approach is crucial to managing these injuries in areas with a high degree of specialization overlap, such as the craniofacial region. We give an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of penetrating foreign body trauma encountered in our department. Every foreign bodypenetrating trauma demands a formulation of a different surgical plan and stands as a challenge for the treating surgeons. Adequate radiology knowledge, detection, vigilant clinical assessment, and tension-free closure are a few of the important aspects for the ideal management of penetrating foreign body trauma.

Calcium absorption by fruit and leaves of sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) by isotope labeling

In sweet cherry, foliar Calcium–based products are used to mitigate rain–cracking in fruit and to improve its firmness during storage. Information on foliar Calcium (Ca) absorption efficiency by fruit and leaves in the field is scarce. In part, this is due to the limitations of the traditional analytical techniques for assessing Ca levels in these organs. Here, we hypothesize that leaves and fruit differ in their abilities to uptake surface applications of Ca and, moreover, that their abilities are influenced by phenology. To test this hypothesis, foliar 44Ca (0.05% 44CaCl2) was used to enrich sweet cherry fruit and leaves of the combination ‘Lapins’/‘Colt’ during the 2019–2020 growing season in the Central Valley of Chile (34° 0’ S, 71° 41’ W). Six treatments were applied, represented by different timings (days after full bloom, DAFB) of isotopic labeling of either fruit or leaves. Labeling was applied at Stage I, SII and SIII of fruit development. Fruit or leaves were ‘painted’ with 44CaCl2 (0.05%, 97 atom%) using a brush. Each labeling date considered a different group of similar fruiting spurs on the two-year-old wood of individual vertical branches. Additional samples were collected to measure natural abundance of 44Ca. Labeled fruit were removed 48 h after aerial 44Ca enrichment and at harvest (87 DAFB).Uptake of 44Ca by fruit and leaves was observed throughout the period of fruit development. Fruiting spur leaves (FSL) and fruit absorbed 44CaCl2 and were highly enriched 48 h after labeling. The earlier the labeling date, the higher the 44Ca tracer recovery detected in both organs. However, FSL showed higher δ44Ca ‰, 44Ca concentrations and 44Ca contents than fruit during the whole period of fruit development. After 48 h, the aerial uptake at SI (expressed as δ44Ca ‰) was 3.4 times higher in immature FSL and 5.7 times higher in immature fruit than SIII of fruit development, which indicates that Ca sprays should start soon after fruit set. We conclude that in sweet cherry, foliar Ca is absorbed by fruit and spur leaves, but the absorption is more efficient in the early stages of fruit development and for young leaves.

Anaerobic hexadecane degradation by a thermophilic Hadarchaeon from Guaymas Basin.

Hadarchaeota inhabit subsurface and hydrothermally heated environments, but previous to this study, they had not been cultured. Based on metagenome-assembled genomes, most Hadarchaeota are heterotrophs that grow on sugars and amino acids, or oxidize carbon monoxide or reduce nitrite to ammonium. A few other metagenome-assembled genomes encode alkyl-coenzyme M reductases (Acrs), β-oxidation, and Wood-Ljungdahl pathways, pointing toward multicarbon alkane metabolism. To identify the organisms involved in thermophilic oil degradation, we established anaerobic sulfate-reducing hexadecane-degrading cultures from hydrothermally heated sediments of the Guaymas Basin. Cultures at 70°C were enriched in one Hadarchaeon that we propose as Candidatus Cerberiarchaeum oleivorans. Genomic and chemical analyses indicate that Ca. C. oleivorans uses an Acr to activate hexadecane to hexadecyl-coenzyme M. A β-oxidation pathway and a tetrahydromethanopterin methyl branch Wood-Ljungdahl (mWL) pathway allow the complete oxidation of hexadecane to CO2. Our results suggest a syntrophic lifestyle with sulfate reducers, as Ca. C. oleivorans lacks a sulfate respiration pathway. Comparative genomics show that Acr, mWL, and β-oxidation are restricted to one family of Hadarchaeota, which we propose as Ca. Cerberiarchaeaceae. Phylogenetic analyses further indicate that the mWL pathway is basal to all Hadarchaeota. By contrast, the carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetyl-coenzyme A synthase complex in Ca. Cerberiarchaeaceae was horizontally acquired from Bathyarchaeia. The Acr and β-oxidation genes of Ca. Cerberiarchaeaceae are highly similar to those of other alkane-oxidizing archaea such as Ca. Methanoliparia and Ca. Helarchaeales. Our results support the use of Acrs in the degradation of petroleum alkanes and suggest a role of Hadarchaeota in oil-rich environments.

Penetrating Mid-facial Injury from a Wooden Branch

This case report discusses the management of a patient with severe penetrating wooden branch wounds to the left mid-face following a fall in the garden. Penetrating trauma is classified as an injury that is caused by a foreign object piercing the skin, causing damage to the underlying tissues resulting in an open wound. Penetrating injuries to the head and neck often require attendance to an emergency care unit and subsequent treatment. There are numerous vital structures that can be affected and an understanding of the complex anatomy is vital to the safe management of these patients. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Treatment of facial trauma demands comprehensive understanding of the vital structures of the head/neck along with efficacious treatment delivery.

The Investigation of Effect of Bacteria in Biological Control of Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus spp.) and Plant Yield Parameter in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The purpose of this study was to assess the usability of two bacterial strains, namely Bacillus subtilis PA1 and Paenibacillus azotofixans PA2, for the biological control of red spider species, and their effects on plant quality and yield in cotton under field conditions. The experiments were conducted at three different locations with multiple replications. As a control, a commercial preparation containing Lambda-Cyhalothrin as the active ingredient was used. The obtained results from the study revealed that the application of the bioagent formulation led to a significant decrease in the density of Tetranychus spp. at different biological stages, ranging from 59.22% to 61.07%, when compared to the control group. Additionally, several important plant growth parameters showed remarkable improvements. The number of fruit branches increased by 130.20%, plant crown diameter by 88.16%, plant height by 40.15%, the number of flowers by 21.25%, the number of wood branches by 18.13%, the average number of cocoons by 126.53%, and cocoon weights by 54.65% significantly across all three trial parcels. The successful implementation of the bacterial application for pest control had a positive impact on cotton yield. Bulk cotton yield increased by 80.03%, and fiber yield increased by 82.17%. Consequently, the bacterial formulation containing these two bacteria demonstrated its potential as a biopesticide in cotton cultivation, effectively controlling pests while also playing a crucial role in enhancing productivity. Overall, the study suggests that using the bioagent formulation consisting of Bacillus subtilis PA1 and Paenibacillus azotofixans PA2 could be an effective and environmentally friendly approach for pest control in cotton farming, leading to increased productivity.

Comparative analysis of the quantity of propolis Tetragonula biroi bees based on propolis type and colony origin

Propolis is one of the products produced by Tetragonula biroi bees which comes from resin collected by honey bees from various plants, which mixes with saliva and various enzymes to produce different new resins and bees collect other than resin to build nests with other materials. ingredients taken directly from nature. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of propolis propolis structure, the percentage of propolis waste and residue in nests of T. biroi in South Sulawesi. The data collected was then processed using descriptive methods. The results showed that the average percentage of propolis pillars was 30%, propolis batumen 26%, propolis involucrum 24%, propolis brood cells 6%, propolis pollen pots 4%, and contained in nests in the form of small wooden branches 6%, leaves 2.27 %. The percentage of waste in nests from Bone was 22.43% and a residue percentage of 77.56%, nests from Luwu had an average waste percentage of 19.19% and a percentage of propolis residue 80.8%, then nests from Soppeng had an average waste percentage of 18.92% and a residual percentage propolis 81.06 %.

Covariation between oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes declines along the path from xylem water to wood cellulose across an aridity gradient.

Oxygen and hydrogen isotopes of cellulose in plant biology are commonly used to infer environmental conditions, often from time series measurements of tree rings. However, the covariation (or the lack thereof) between δ18 O and δ2 H in plant cellulose is still poorly understood. We compared plant water, and leaf and branch cellulose from dominant tree species across an aridity gradient in Northern Australia, to examine how δ18 O and δ2 H relate to each other and to mean annual precipitation (MAP). We identified a decline in covariation from xylem to leaf water, and onwards from leaf to branch wood cellulose. Covariation in leaf water isotopic enrichment (Δ) was partially preserved in leaf cellulose but not branch wood cellulose. Furthermore, whilst δ2 H was well-correlated between leaf and branch, there was an offset in δ18 O between organs that increased with decreasing MAP. Our findings strongly suggest that postphotosynthetic isotope exchange with water is more apparent for oxygen isotopes, whereas variable kinetic and nonequilibrium isotope effects add complexity to interpreting metabolic-induced δ2 H patterns. Varying oxygen isotope exchange in wood and leaf cellulose must be accounted for when δ18 O is used to reconstruct climatic scenarios. Conversely, comparing δ2 H and δ18 O patterns may reveal environmentally induced shifts in metabolism.

Microscopic computed tomography aided finite element modelling as a methodology to estimate hygroexpansion coefficients of wood: a case study on opposite and compression wood in softwood branches

Abstract Microscopic X-ray computed tomography (XµCT) aided finite element (FE) modelling is a popular method in material science to relate material properties to heterogeneous microstructures. Recently, a methodology was developed for the XµCT aided FE modelling of wood, which characterises the process from specimen preparation to estimation of material properties. In the current research, this methodology is tested on branches of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) to estimate the hygroexpansion coefficients of opposite (OW) and compression wood (CW). These properties are largely unknown and have engineering implications. The study is complemented by measurements of density, moisture content (MC) and elastic moduli. Results showed that the methodology assisted in the design of an integrated process and the identification of bottlenecks. It was seen that the level of detail of the numerical model had a strong influence on the obtained hygroexpansion properties. CW from branches showed higher density and longitudinal shrinkage coefficients, and elastic moduli less affected by MC. These differences are unlikely caused by MC, but more likely by the characteristics of the microstructure.

Individual tree volume estimation with terrestrial laser scanning: Evaluating reconstructive and allometric approaches

Accurate estimates of above-ground tree biomass within forest inventories are essential for calibration and validation of biomass mapping products based on Earth observation data. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) enables detailed and non-destructive volume estimation of individual trees, which can be converted to biomass with wood basic density. Existing TLS-based approaches range from simple geometrical features to virtual 3D reconstruction of entire trees. Validating such approaches with weight measurements is a key step before the integration of TLS or other close-range technologies into operational applications such as forest inventories. In this study, we firstly evaluate individual tree volume estimation approaches based on 3D reconstruction through quantitative structure models (QSM) against destructive reference data of 60 trees and compare them to operational allometric scaling models (ASM). Secondly, we determine the explanatory power of TLS-derived geometric parameters regarding total wood, stem, coarse wood and fine branch volume. We observe similar accuracy in merchantable (¿7 cm) wood compartments for ASMs (NRMSE = 25 %) and QSMs (NRMSE = 29 %), with QSMs showing better results for broadleaves than conifers and generally overestimating fine branch volume. Feature selection shows that a combination of stem diameters and volume of convex hulls around tree crowns has the most potential to model the entire tree volume including branches, especially for conifers. In cases where the quality of available point clouds is insufficient for QSMs, 3D information can thus still be utilised by deriving geometric parameters. The integration of crown dimension parameters into new allometric models could substantially improve the estimation of branch wood volume.

Briquettes Made of Branches Wood of Three Mangrove Species Bonded by Starch Adhesive.

The development and utilization of wood briquettes is one of the efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, including to fulfill overseas market need. This study aimed to evaluate the properties of wood briquettes made of the branches of three mangrove species and to analyze the effect of different wood species of mangrove branches, and the types of starch adhesive, on the quality of wood briquettes. The wood briquettes made in this study were 3 cm × 4 cm in a cylindrical shape using three wood species of mangrove branches, namely mata buaya (Bruguiera sexangula), buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha), and bakau minyak (Rhizophora apiculata), while the adhesives used were tapioca starch, maize starch, and potato starch. The results showed that the moisture, ash content, and calorific value of the wood briquettes mostly met the ISO 17225-3:2-2020 class A2 standard and the specification and quality standards of wood briquettes for Grade A2 issued by the Korea Forest Research Institute, except the density. Wood briquettes made of mata buaya by using the three types of starch adhesives generally had better properties than all other types of wood briquettes. The interaction of mangrove wood species and the types of starch adhesive had a significant effect on the properties of wood briquettes, except for volatile matter and calorific value for which they had no significant effect. The use of wood briquettes from mangrove wood branches contributes to sustainable forest management and maintains the ecological function of mangrove forests while providing environmentally friendly alternative energy for households as a source of fuel/energy. Furthermore, future research is needed, such as investigating the optimal pressing pressure needed to achieve higher density of the wood briquettes.

Root and branch hydraulic functioning and trait coordination across organs in drought-deciduous and evergreen tree species of a subtropical highland forest.

Vessel traits are key in understanding trees' hydraulic efficiency, and related characteristics like growth performance and drought tolerance. While most plant hydraulic studies have focused on aboveground organs, our understanding of root hydraulic functioning and trait coordination across organs remains limited. Furthermore, studies from seasonally dry (sub-)tropical ecosystems and mountain forests are virtually lacking and uncertainties remain regarding potentially different hydraulic strategies of plants differing in leaf habit. Here, we compared wood anatomical traits and specific hydraulic conductivities between coarse roots and small branches of five drought-deciduous and eight evergreen angiosperm tree species in a seasonally dry subtropical Afromontane forest in Ethiopia. We hypothesized that largest vessels and highest hydraulic conductivities are found in roots, with greater vessel tapering between roots and equally-sized branches in evergreen angiosperms due to their drought-tolerating strategy. We further hypothesized that the hydraulic efficiencies of root and branches cannot be predicted from wood density, but that wood densities across organs are generally related. Root-to-branch ratios of conduit diameters varied between 0.8 and 2.8, indicating considerable differences in tapering from coarse roots to small branches. While deciduous trees showed larger branch xylem vessels compared to evergreen angiosperms, root-to-branch ratios were highly variable within both leaf habit types, and evergreen species did not show a more pronounced degree of tapering. Empirically determined hydraulic conductivity and corresponding root-to-branch ratios were similar between both leaf habit types. Wood density of angiosperm roots was negatively related to hydraulic efficiency and vessel dimensions; weaker relationships were found in branches. Wood density of small branches was neither related to stem nor coarse root wood densities. We conclude that in seasonally dry subtropical forests, similar-sized coarse roots hold larger xylem vessels than small branches, but the degree of tapering from roots to branches is highly variable. Our results indicate that leaf habit does not necessarily influence the relationship between coarse root and branch hydraulic traits. However, larger conduits in branches and a low carbon investment in less dense wood may be a prerequisite for high growth rates of drought-deciduous trees during their shortened growing season. The correlation of stem and root wood densities with root hydraulic traits but not branch wood points toward large trade-offs in branch xylem towards mechanical properties.