Wood Utilization Research Articles

Strong and Durable Wood Designed by Cell Wall Bulking Combined with Cell Lumen Filling.

Traditional wood-polymer composite (WPC) based on the in situ polymerization of ethylene unsaturated monomers in the cellular cavity of wood is significant for the high-value-added utilization of low-quality wood. However, this type of WPC has the problems of volatile monomers, low conversion rates, odor residue, and poor compatibility between the polymer and wood interface, which hinder its promotion and application. In this study, a two-step process of cell wall bulking in combination with cell lumen filling was prepared to modify wood using Maleic anhydride (MAN) as the bulking agent and GMA-EGDMA (molar ratio 2:1) as the active monomer system. The results indicate that the modulus of rupture (MOR) (125.19 ± 8.41 MPa), compressive strength (116.38 ± 7.69 MPa), impact toughness (55.4 ± 2.95 KJ m-2), and hardness (6187 ± 273 N) of the bulking-filling wood composite materials were improved by 54%, 56%, 36%, and 66%, respectively, compared with those of poplar wood. These properties were superior to those of the traditional styrene (PSt)-WPC and even exceeded the performance of Xylosma congesta (Lour.) Merr, a high-quality wood from northeast China. Meanwhile, the mass loss of wood composite materials with bulking-filling treatment was only 2.35 ± 0.05%, and the internal structure remained intact, presenting excellent decay resistance. Additionally, the treatment also significantly improved the thermal and dimensional stability of the wood composites. This study provides a theoretical basis and guidance for realizing the high-value-added application of low-quality wood and the preparation of highly durable wood-based composites.

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY VARIATIONS ON BENDING STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF HYBRID EUCALYPTUS WOOD IN GHANA

The study examines how temperature and relative humidity affect the bending strength properties of hybrid eucalyptus wood from Amantia and Winneba in Ghana. Eucalyptus wood from six trees were tested based on BS 373:1957 under different temperatures and relative humidity levels. The study measured the modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and moisture content (MC) of the wood samples. The results showed that MOE and MOR varied significantly across the different conditioning parameters N, T, K and G. MC also influenced the mechanical strength properties of the wood, following the wood-water relation theories. The study concluded that climate and geographical location are important factors to consider when evaluating the mechanical properties of hybrid eucalyptus. This study holds practical implications for optimizing the utilization of eucalyptus wood particularly in the construction and related industries in the three different climatic zones of Ghana.

Developing a Sprayed-Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Retrofitting System for Decommissioned Wooden Utility Poles

Wooden utility poles are vulnerable to degradation and decay, which requires maintenance or replacement. The strengthening and retrofitting techniques for wooden poles are either prone to corrosion or encountering installation difficulties. However, the use of sprayed fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites seems to be a viable solution as it has proven its efficiency and applicability for reinforced concrete members and connections. This study includes a comprehensive experimental program where the mechanical properties of the sprayed-glass FRP (GFRP) composite was evaluated in terms of tensile, compressive and shear strength, in addition to its bond strength to wood and confinement efficiency. Afterwards, the results of the material testing phase were implemented on full-scale old utility poles to evaluate their structural performance with varying composite thicknesses and sprayed zone lengths. The behavior of the retrofitted poles reflected remarkable effectiveness for the sprayed-GFRP composite and highlighted the need for a design model for the optimum length for the sprayed zone. Two simplified analytical models were introduced which predicted the failure loads and locations for the tested poles and estimated the required length for the retrofitted zone, which all agreed well with the experimental results of the tested poles.

Curcumin-mediated balsa wood-derived 3D magnetic biochar with dual active sites to activate peroxymonosulfate for PFOA removal

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is one of the most commonly detected perfluorinated compounds, and now poses a significant threat to animal, plant and human health as an emerging pollutant. Using balsa wood as a natural template and potassium ferrocyanide as a precursor, curcumin-mediated Fe3C/N-embedded 3D magnetic biochar (Fe3C/N@BsB) was obtained in this study via a facile in-situ pyrolysis method. Featured with dual metallic and non-metallic active centers, Fe3C/N@BsB was then utilized for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade PFOA in water. The experimental data indicated that a degradation efficiency of 82.9% and defluorination efficiency of 71.4% were achieved for PFOA at room temperature and pH 3.0. Coexisting 50 mM Cl− in water had no significant impact, while HCO3− and HA showed inhibitory effects on PFOA degradation. By the identification and quantification of free radicals, SO4− was predominant in the Fe3C/N@BsB + PMS system with its maximum accumulation concentration of 29.6 μM. Under the attack of active species, PFOA degradation occurred gradually to produce short-chain by-products for subsequent mineralization. Finally, the recyclability of Fe3C/N@BsB and its catalytic degradability in tap water and Yellow River water were also evaluated. This study not only demonstrates the enormous potential of Fe3C/N@BsB + PMS system for the removal of emerging PFOA in water, but also provides good theoretical support for the resource utilization of balsa wood.

Evaluation of Wood Anatomical Properties from 18 Tree Species in the Subtropical Region of China

The subtropical region of China possesses abundant broad-leaf tree species resources; however, the anatomical properties and microstructure of the wood are still unclear, which restricts the processing and utilization of wood. In this study, 14 broad-leaf trees and four coniferous trees were selected. Wood anatomical indices and wood microanatomy were used to evaluate the wood properties using a comprehensive index method. The results have shown that Dalbergia assamica exhibited the highest wood basic density among the 14 broad-leaved tree species, accompanied by a significant fiber proportion and vessel lumen diameter but a small vessel proportion and a high number of wood rays. Conversely, Parakmeria lotungensis and Michelia chapensis had relatively low wood basic densities, rendering them less suitable as valuable broad-leaved wood sources. Altingia chinensis, Castanopsis kawakamii, and the remaining 11 tree species exhibited medium-level wood basic densities. The 14 broad-leaved tree species had medium-length fibers. Phoebe bournei, Dalbergia assamica, and Castanopsis kawakamii demonstrated relatively high fiber proportion. Altingia chinensis, Dalbergia assamica, and Castanopsis kawakamii exhibited a large number of wood rays, making their wood more susceptible to cracking, whereas other broad-leaved tree species possessed fewer wood rays. The findings have provided a scientific basis for the exploration of precious broad-leaved tree resources and wood use.

A deep learning multimodal fusion framework for wood species identification using near-infrared spectroscopy GADF and RGB image

Abstract Accurate and rapid wood species identification is vital for wood utilization and trade. This goal is achievable with the fast development of deep learning (DL). Several studies have been published related to this topic; however, they were limited by their generalization performance in practical applications. Therefore, this study proposed a DL multimodal fusion framework to bridge this gap. The study utilized a state-of-the-art convolutional neural network (CNN) to simultaneously extract both short-wavelength near-infrared (NIR) spectra and RGB image feature, fully leveraging the advantages of both data types. Using portable devices for collecting spectra and image data enhances the feasibility of onsite rapid identification. In particular, a two-branch CNN framework was developed to extract spectra and image features. For NIR spectra feature extraction, 1 dimensional NIR (1D NIR) spectra were innovatively encoded as 2 dimensional (2D) images using the Gramian angular difference field (GADF) method. This representation enhances better data alignment with CNN operations, facilitating more robust discriminative feature extraction. Moreover, wood’s spectral and image features were fused at the full connection layer for species identification. In the experimental phase conducted on 16 difficult-to-distinguish wood samples from the Lauraceae family, all achieved identification metrics results exceed 99 %. The findings illustrate that the proposed multimodal fusion framework effectively extracts and fully integrates the wood’s features, thereby, improving wood species identification.

Modeling climate-smart forest management and wood use for climate mitigation potential in Maryland and Pennsylvania

State and local governments are increasingly interested in understanding the role forests and harvested wood products play in regional carbon sinks and storage, their potential contributions to state-level greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, and the interactions between GHG reduction goals and potential economic opportunities. We used empirically driven process-based forest carbon dynamics and harvested wood product models in a systems-based approach to project the carbon impacts of various forest management and wood utilization activities in Maryland and Pennsylvania from 2007 to 2100. To quantify state-wide forest carbon dynamics, we integrated forest inventory data, harvest and management activity data, and remotely-sensed metrics of land-use change and natural forest disturbances within a participatory modeling approach. We accounted for net GHG emissions across (1) forest ecosystems (2) harvested wood products, (3) substitution benefits from wood product utilization, and (4) leakage associated with reduced in-state harvesting activities. Based on state agency partner input, a total of 15 management scenarios were modeled for Maryland and 13 for Pennsylvania, along with two climate change impact scenarios and two bioenergy scenarios for each state. Our findings show that both strategic forest management and wood utilization can provide substantial climate change mitigation potential relative to business-as-usual practices, increasing the forest C sink by 29% in Maryland and 38% in Pennsylvania by 2030 without disrupting timber supplies. Key climate-smart forest management activities include maintaining and increasing forest extent, fostering forest resiliency and natural regeneration, encouraging sustainable harvest practices, balancing timber supply and wood utilization with tree growth, and preparing for future climate impacts. This study adds to a growing body of work that quantifies the relationships between forest growth, forest disturbance, and harvested wood product utilization, along with their collective influence on carbon stocks and fluxes, to identify pathways to enhance forest carbon sinks in support of state-level net-zero emission targets.

Biological Activities in Sapwood and Heartwood Extractives from Paulownia tomentosa

Paulownia tomentosa is a representative deciduous tree in South Korea. After 10 years of growth, its wood can be used to make various products through chemical modifications, such as impregnation with a polymer, substitution with chemicals, and physical compression. However, research on the biological resistance of the sapwood and heartwood parts of P. tomentosa xylem is lacking. To ensure the complete utilisation of Paulownia wood, this study aimed to collect baseline data on the necessity of xylem extraction before chemical modification to enhance wood porosity. First, we assessed the decay and termite resistance of sapwood and heartwood blocks. Furthermore, we evaluated the anti-microbial effect of sapwood and heartwood extracts after solvent fractionation. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the active substances of the fractions with anti-microbial activity were also conducted. The hexane and chloroform solvent fractions of sapwood and heartwood extracts showed fungal resistance against Trametes versicolor and Fomiptosis palustis. Paulownin and sesamin were the main compounds showing anti-microbial activity, and their content in the extracts varied, depending on the wood part. These results provide valuable data for advancing research on porous wood materials and the utilisation of xylem-derived active compounds from Paulownia wood.

Study on Modification of Poplar Wood via Composite Impregnation with Silica Sol/Melamine-Glyoxal Resin.

In order to overcome the defects of fast-growing poplar wood, such as low strength and poor toughness, this paper introduces a method of modifying poplar wood via impregnation with silica sol/melamine-glyoxal (silica sol/MG) resin and explores its effects on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of poplar wood. It was found via scanning electron microscopy that the composite modifier covered and filled the cell lumen, cell interstitial space, and cell wall pores of poplar wood. Further, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses confirmed that chemical cross-linking occurred between the silica sol/MG resin composite modifier and the internal groups of poplar wood and that the Si-O-Si flexible long chains introduced in the composite modifier formed a cross-linking network with poplar wood such as Si-O-Si and Si-O-C, which led to the improvement of the physical and mechanical properties and the enhancement of the thermal stability of poplar wood. The method provides a theoretical basis for the high-value utilization of fast-growing poplar wood.

Comparative Metabolomics and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal the Fragrance-Related Metabolite Formation in Phoebe zhennan Wood.

Nanmu (Phoebe zhennan) has a unique fragrance and is a high-quality tree species for forest conservation. The types and contents of volatile compounds in different tissues of nanmu wood are different, and the study of its volatile metabolites can help us to understand the source of its fragrance and functions. In order to explore the metabolites related to the wood fragrance of nanmu and to find out the unique volatile substances in the heartwood, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was performed to analyze the non-targeted metabolomics in five radial tissues from the sapwood to the heartwood of nanmu. A total of 53 volatile metabolites belonging to 11 classes were detected in all tissues, including terpenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, organoheterocyclics, phenols, esters, organic acids, alcohols, alkaloids, alkane, indoles derivatives, and others. And most of the volatile metabolites were identified for the first time in nanmu wood. Among them, terpenes and aromatic hydrocarbons were the main volatile components. In addition, 22 differential metabolites were screened from HW and SW, HW, and TZ via metabolomic analysis. Among these DAMs, three volatile metabolites (cadinene, a sesquiterpenoid; p-cymene, a monoterpenoid; 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon) contributed heavily to the characteristic fragrance of the heartwood. Additionally, the expression of transcripts showed that the unigenes in the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway were especially up-regulated in the SW. Therefore, we speculated that fragrance-related metabolites were synthesized in SW and then deposited in heartwood during sapwood transformed to heartwood. The expression levels of transcription factors (e.g., WRKY, C2H2, NAC) acted as the major regulatory factors in the synthesis of terpenoid. The results lay the foundations for further studies on the formation mechanism of fragrance components in nanmu wood and also provide a reference for the further development and utilization of nanmu wood.

A Specialized Data Crawler for Urban Wood Information

Abstract The Internet is composed of >50 billion Web pages and grows larger every day. As the number of links and specialty subject areas increases, it becomes ever more difficult to find pertinent information. For some subject areas, special purpose data crawlers continually search the Internet for specific information; examples include real estate, air travel, auto sales, and others. The use of such special purpose data crawlers (i.e., targeted crawlers and knowledge databases), also allows the collection and analysis of agricultural and forestry data. Such single-purpose crawlers can search for hundreds of keywords and use machine learning to determine whether or not what is found is relevant. In this paper, we examine the design and data return of such a specialty knowledge database and crawler system developed to find information related to urban wood utilization—products made from timber harvested in cities and municipalities. Our search engine uses intelligent software to locate and update pertinent references related to urban wood as well as to categorize information with respect to common application and interest areas. At the time of this publication, the urban wood knowledge database has cataloged >700 publications regarding various aspects of urban wood.

Study on synergistic effect of co-pyrolysis of wood chips and its gasification tar on the biochar and subsequent activated carbon upgrading using response surface method

Wood processing and gasification produce large amounts of waste wood chips and tar separately. The utilization of these wastes is highly significant for the comprehensive utilization of wood. In this study, waste wood chips and tar were used as raw materials and the characteristics of biochar and activated carbon obtained using a two-step process (co-pyrolysis followed by activation), were investigated. On the basis of response surface methodology, the comprehensive effects of the three co-pyrolysis factors (proportion of tar, pyrolysis temperature, and residence time) on the properties of biochar and activated carbon were studied. Results showed that there was synergistic effect between waste wood chips and tar during co-pyrolysis. A lower biochar yield was obtained from pyrolysis of tar (25.5%) and wood chips (24.7%) alone, as compared to that of biochar (27.1%) obtained by co-pyrolysis. Additionally, the activated carbon produced by co-pyrolysis (1280 m2/g) had higher specific surface area (SBET), as compared to that produced by pyrolysis of tar and waste wood chips alone. Regression equations were established for the co-pyrolysis conditions with the properties of biochar and activated carbon. The trends for the three experimental conditions were intuitively shown by the 3D response surface diagrams, which facilitated the utilization of waste wood chips and tar.

Novel two-step strategy for the construction of weathering-resistant hydrophobic wood to extend its service life

As a renewable biomaterial resource, the applicability of natural wood is limited by its poor weathering resistance. A properly designed multifunctional coating can enhance the weathering resistance of wood while maintaining its natural aesthetic texture. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), SiO2, and TiO2 were impregnated into a wood sample to fabricate coatings with UV-shielding, transparent, and hydrophobic properties. The water contact angle of the wood in three directions was investigated under different environmental conditions. Results suggested that the PDMS/SiO2/TiO2-wood (PSTW) exhibited excellent hydrophobicity under harsh environmental conditions, which includes sandpaper abrasion, ultrasonic treatment, corrosive solvent immersion, freeze–thaw cycles, and UV aging. Moreover, PSTW demonstrated outstanding repellency to the most common liquids (such as milk, juice, and tea) in daily life. The fabricated hydrophobic coatings improved the mechanical stability, anti-icing, chemical stability, antifouling, self-cleaning, and UV aging resistance of the wood. The proposed method is an effective strategy to enhance the utilization of wood in outdoor environments and extend its service life.

Thermochemical Technologies for the Optimization of Olive Wood Biomass Energy Exploitation: A Review

The use of biomass can be a strategic way to realize a carbon-neutral energy plan, ensuring a fuel feedstock. Residual biomass arising from pruning is demonstrated to be an important energy resource in terms of quantity and quality. In the Salento peninsula, Apulia Region, in the south of Italy, a dramatic outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa has decimated olive trees since 2013, gaining a considerable amount of wood biomass. This paper, starting from the need to find a way to optimize the use of this available stock, reviews the main technologies on the utilization of olive wood for energy purposes. In particular, processes and products are here described, and an energy analysis compares lower heating value (LHV), higher heating value (HHV), mass yield, process operating conditions, and energy generated and spent by the process in order to find the most effective technology in order to optimize the energy use of olive biomass. The conclusions show the advantages and disadvantages of each technology. Pyrolysis performs well, showing the best results for both char HHV and syngas yield under different operating conditions. Gasification seems to be the most appropriate among conversion technologies to optimize olive tree pruning for energy purposes, as it can be used to produce both electrical and thermal energy. In terms of economic valorization, char is the most promising material representing a value-added product, the quality and versatility of which ranges from fuel to soil improvers and additives for the construction of supercapacitors. Conversely, its disadvantages are mainly represented by high ash content, which can slightly decrease the boiler efficiency. Finally, the amount of alkali metals can produce several problems, such as fouling, slagging, corrosion, etc., posing a challenge for combustion control and pollutant minimization.

ODCA-YOLO: An Omni-Dynamic Convolution Coordinate Attention-Based YOLO for Wood Defect Detection

Accurate detection of wood defects plays a crucial role in optimizing wood utilization, minimizing corporate expenses, and safeguarding precious forest resources. To achieve precise identification of surface defects in wood, we present a novel approach called the Omni-dynamic convolution coordinate attention-based YOLO (ODCA-YOLO) model. This model incorporates an Omni-dimensional dynamic convolution-based coordinate attention (ODCA) mechanism, which significantly enhances its ability to detect small target defects and boosts its expressiveness. Furthermore, to reinforce the feature extraction and fusion capabilities of the ODCA-YOLO network, we introduce a highly efficient features extraction network block known as S-HorBlock. By integrating HorBlock into the ShuffleNet network, this design optimizes the overall performance. Our proposed ODCA-YOLO model was rigorously evaluated using an optimized wood surface defect dataset through ablation and comparison experiments. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, achieving an impressive 78.5% in the mean average precision (mAP) metric and showing a remarkable 9% improvement in mAP compared to the original algorithm. Our proposed model can satisfy the need for accurate detection of wood surface defects.

Physical and Magnetic Properties of Sengon (Falcataria moluccana Miq.) Impregnated with Synthesized Magnetite Nanoparticles

Sengon is one of the fast-growing wood that dominates Indonesian plantation forests and has been used as industrial raw material, fuel, and construction material. To enhance the physical characteristics of sengon wood, it needs technology of wood quality improvement, such as impregnation method by using Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Beside to enhance the quality of sengon wood, this technology can also expand the utilization of fast-growing wood. The presented research aims to examine the effects on physical and magnetic properties of sengon wood after being treated by magnetite nanoparticles impregnation. Magnetite nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation method with a precursor solution of iron ions mixture and weak base (NH4OH). The treatments of the magnetic wood consisted of 3 different concentrations that is untreated, 1% and 5% magnetite nanoparticles impregnation solution with demineralized water as a dispersant. Dimensional stability parameters, such as weight percentage growth, bulking impact, and effectiveness against swelling are increasing along the increase of concentration. Characterization tests such as SEM–EDX analysis showed the existence of Fe deposition in the wood cell membranes and pores of the wood. XRD analysis showed the appearance of magnetic peaks in the diffractogram in accordance with the decreased of crystallinity while the concentration increased and FTIR analysis showed Fe-O functional groups. Sengon wood magnetic was identified based on the VSM study, as a superparamagnetic components with mild magnetic characteristics.

Constructing lignin based nanoparticles towards flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane composites with improved mechanical and oxidation resistant properties

A multifunctional lignin derivative nanoparticle (C-P-Lignin) was synthesized by grafting phenyl dichloro sphosphineoxid and 1, 4-dimethoxyacetylene stepwise on the lignin, then it was applied to prepare the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite with improved mechanical properties, oxidation resistance, and flame retardancy. The tensile strength, the elongation at break, and the toughness of the TPU/2C-P-Lignin sample reached 28.3 MPa, 941 %, and 139.0 MJ/m2 respectively, which were increased by 39.0 %, 3.4 %, and 33.9 % respectively compared with that of the control TPU sample. The anti-fatigue property was also improved. More importantly, the mechanism of the improved mechanical properties was also calculated and simulated by FTIR and Materials Studio software. The TPU/2C-P-Lignin sample exhibited superior oxidation resistance during the process of photoaging and thermal oxidative aging. Furthermore, the peak heat release rate and the smoke production rate for theTPU/2C-P-Lignin sample was reduced by 50.0 % and 53.8 % compared with that of the control TPU. The reason was that the C-P-Lignin is conducive to the formation of uniformly distributed carbon layers. It is expected that this work can provide a new method for expanding the utilization of waste wood as a multifunctional lignin-based filler to improve fire safety and extend the service life of TPU polymers.

IPSO-VMD based signal feature extraction and internal defect detection of hardwood logs through acoustic impact test

Accurate quality detection of hardwood logs can realize efficient utilization of wood and provide significant benefits to wood enterprises. However, due to the differences in the extraction principle of acoustic parameters and the interaction mechanism between the parameters and wood properties, the quality assessment results of hardwood logs are different to some extent. For this, a method for feature extraction of the acoustic signal and defect detection was proposed based on the improved particle swarm optimization-variational modal decomposition (IPSO-VMD). By analyzing the sparse features of defect signals, the minimum mean envelope entropy was set as the fitness function of IPSO optimized VMD to search for the optimal number pair (L, α). And the search for IPSO was accelerated to acquire the global optimal solution by improving the inertia weight and learning factor of PSO. Then, the effective sub-modes decomposed from the IPSO-VMD were selected based on Hilbert marginal spectrum and energy ratio of sub-band components, and the frequency sub-band distribution and energy rates of the effective modes sifted were used as the characteristic parameters characterized the defect signal to realize the accurate quality detection of hardwood logs. The sawing results of the sample logs showed that the major defect types and priorities in logs were detected with an accuracy of 88.4% and 74.4% respectively based on the IPSO-VMD method, even for which not identifiable by global parameters could be also examined effectively. The effectiveness of the new feature parameters can provide a reliable basis for the accurate quality detection of hardwood logs through fusing the multi-parameter features and constructing the artificial intelligence recognition system in the future.

Wood Utilization in Windmill Mechanisms on Sikinos Island (Greece)

Windmills constitute a valuable part of cultural heritage, especially in Greece, as unique structures of popular architecture and know-how of the pre-industrial era. Their wooden mechanisms were of exceptional constructional ingenuity, with the Mediterranean ones bearing a vertical wing and a rotating roof (“trula”), with a manual torsion mechanism that allowed for operation in all wind directions. Sikinos is a small Aegean island characterized by rich landscapes, which do not have wood-producing forests, but only sparse Juniperus phoenicea shrub land mixed with evergreen hardwood species and the presence of numerous sclerophyllus vegetation species (maquis). Three abandoned windmills are still preserved on the island today, but only two of them appear to have their wooden mechanisms left. In the one windmill mechanism examined, it was found that different wood species were used to manufacture its individual parts. Oak wood was used in most of the large elements, with the exception of the sprattle beam (“zigos”), which is made of fir wood. The local juniper was not used in any crucial part of the mechanism, though it was used only as a structural material on the first floor (“anogio”) flooring, along with large-diameter olive trunks. The findings of this study highlighted the thorough knowledge of the properties of various wood species and the effective use of simple tools toward the construction of functional and effective windmill mechanisms.

Chemical Degradation of Waste PET and Its Application in Wood Reinforcement and Modification.

In recent years, with the increasing scarcity of fossil resources and the worsening environmental pollution, the effective utilization of wood and plastic waste has become a critical issue. In this paper, propylene glycol (PG) was used as an alcoholysis agent to degrade waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and unsaturated polyester (UPR) was synthesized by the polycondensation reaction. The Chinese fir was modified by chemical impregnation to obtain a new type of waste PET-based wood-plastic composites. It exhibits a compressive strength of about 107 MPa and a water absorption of less than 20%. These results highlight the outstanding modification effect on fir, demonstrating excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. This study presents a green and efficient method for the preparation of wood-plastic composites and the recycling of waste PET, providing promising solutions for sustainable resource utilization and environmental protection.