Sampling Plantation Eucalypts for Wood and Fibre Properties

By GM Downes, IL Hudson, CA Raymond and 5 more

This book was written to help the forest industry assess wood quality by using non-destructive samples taken from specific points within a tree. It is the first compilation of research data on sampling of eucalypts, describing new methods and tools for rapid and cost-effective analysis.

The book provides information needed to design a sampling program, obtain and process wood samples, and shows how to relate the data to an average tree value.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
• Release date: Jan 1, 1997
• ISBN: 9780643105973

Book preview

Sampling Plantation Eucalypts

for wood and fibre properties

G.M. Downes, I.L. Hudson,

C.A. Raymond, G.H. Dean,

A.J. Michell, L.R. Schimleck,

R. Evans and A. Muneri

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry

Sampling plantation eucalypts for wood and fibre properties.

Bibliography

ISBN 0 643 06284 X

1.  Eucalyptus globulus

2.  Eucalyptus nitens

3.  Plant fibers – Testing

4.  Wood – Testing

5.  Non-destructive testing

I.   Downes, Geoffrey Michael

II.  Cooperative Research Centre for Temperate Hardwood Forestry (Australia)

III. Title

634.973766

© CSIRO Australia 1997

This book is available from:

CSIRO PUBLISHING

PO Box 1139 (150 Oxford Street)

Collingwood, VIC 3066

Australia

Tel: [phone]    Int: +(613) 9662 7666

Fax: [phone]   Int: + (613) 9662 7555

Email: [e-mail]

http://www.publish.csiro.au

Editor: Alexa Cloud-Guest

Editorial and Production Manager: Marta Veroni

Cover and layout design: Linda Kemp

Typesetting: Kylie Crane and Linda Kemp

CONTENTS

Contributors

Preface

Introduction

Cooperative Research Centres

Cooperative Research Centre for Temperate Hardwood Forestry

Cooperative Research Centre for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

Chapter 1

Wood properties of interest in plantation productivity

Productivity

Wood quality

Development of sampling strategies

Wood density

Fibre dimensions

Fibre length

Fibre diameter and wall thickness

Microfibril angle

Vessel size and frequency

Pulp yield

Emerging technologies for wood quality determination

SilviScan-1

SilviScan-2

Near-infrared analysis

Chapter 2

Sampling — purpose, accuracy and cost

Methods of sampling

Reasons for sampling

Accuracy and sample size

‘True’ value versus ranking

Means versus individual tree values

Sources of error and acceptable levels

Sample size required for different traits

Trees

Fibre length

Relative costs of sampling methods and analyses

Chapter 3

Models of within-tree variation

Conceptual patterns of variation

Developing mathematical models

Influence of sampling strategy

Longitudinal

Radial

Whole-tree estimates

Applying the model

Stage 1: calibration

Stage 2: application

Overview

Chapter 4

Within-tree variation and sampling point correlations

Density

Sampling of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens

Sampling of Eucalyptus regnans

Whole-tree pattern

Relationship between sampling points and whole-tree values

Sampling recommendations for basic density

Fibre dimensions

Cooperative Research Centre for Temperate Hardwood Forestry

Cooperative Research Centre for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

Vessel coverage

Within-ring variation

Pith-to-bark variation at two heights

Sampling recommendations

Near-infrared predicted kraft pulp yield

Within-tree variation

Relationship between sample points and whole-tree values

Sampling recommendations

Physiological sources of variation

Radial variation

Patterns of growth

Variation in cambial activity

Chapter 5

Sampling protocol

Necessary site data

Getting the sample

Destructive sampling

Non-destructive sampling

Sample storage

Prevention of fungal degradation

Sample drying and storage for SilviScan

Sample drying, storage and preparation for NIR analysis

Sample drying and storage for kraft pulping

Sample drying and storage for mechanical pulping

Chapter 6

Tools for rapid and cost-effective analysis of wood properties

SilviScan-1

SilviScan-2

Vessels, parenchyma and fibre identification

Density

Fibre diameter and perimeter

Fibre wall thickness, coarseness and specific surface area

Microfibril angle

Near-infrared spectroscopy for pulp yield

Near-infrared spectroscopy

Appendixes

Appendix 1: Variation in wood density in plantation eucalypts

Summary

Introduction

Within-tree variation in wood density

Between-tree variation

Genetic variation

Site, silviculture and growth rate

Conclusions

Appendix 2: Variation in fibre dimensions in plantation eucalypts

Fibre length

Fibre diameter and wall thickness

Conclusions

Appendix 3: Variation in vessel size and frequency in Plantation eucalypts

Within-ring variation of vessels in relation to latewood and earlywood

Appendix 4: Variation in wood chemistry and pulp yield in plantation eucalypts

Within-tree variation in wood chemistry

Within-tree variation in pulp yield

References

Glossary

CONTRIBUTORS

Dr Geoffrey M. Downes

CRC for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products

Private Bag 10, South Clayton, Victoria 3168

(From December 1997)

CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products

G.P.O. Box 252–12, Hobart, Tasmania 7001

Dr Irene L. Hudson

CRC for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

School of Forestry and Resource Conservation

University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052

(Current address)

Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand

Ms Carolyn A. Raymond

CRC for Temperate Hardwood Forestry

CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products

G.P.O. Box 252–12, Hobart 7001

Mr Geoffrey H. Dean

CRC for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

North Forest Products

Locked Bag 25, Burnie, Tasmania 7320

Dr Anthony J. Michell

CRC for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products

Private Bag 10, South Clayton, Victoria 3168

Dr Laurie R. Schimleck

CRC for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products

Private Bag 10, South Clayton, Victoria 3168

Dr Robert Evans

CRC for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products

Private Bag 10, South Clayton, Victoria 3168

Dr Alison Muneri

CRC for Temperate Hardwood Forestry

Department of Plant Science

University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001

PREFACE

This book has been produced by the Cooperative Research Centre for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science (CRC–HFPS), and the Cooperative Research Centre for Temperate Hardwood Forestry (CRC–THF) in response to an expressed need from forest management and research organisations to be able to predict whole-tree values of wood properties from non-destructive samples taken from specific points within a tree. The potential to manage forests for particular properties and end uses is now a realisable goal.

This book is about how to assess wood properties in plantation eucalypts using non-destructive samples and focusses on the predominantly temperate species, Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens. New developments in automated analysis technology now permit extensive sampling studies. Studies on a large scale that were previously infeasible can now be made to determine patterns of variability that are essential for developing meaningful non-destructive methods of sampling.

Sampling Plantation Eucalypts for Wood and Fibre Properties is targeted specifically at those who manage or undertake the sampling of commercial temperate eucalypt plantations to assess the wood properties of the resource. The book provides information needed to design a sampling program, obtain and process wood samples (destructive and non-destructive), and describes how to use the data to predict an average tree value. In addition, sufficient background information is provided to allow the reader to appreciate some of the difficulties, and therefore dangers, involved in defining these procedures. We hope that this background encourages the use of recommendations, not to be followed blindly, but to be applied with forethought to specific situations. Many of the studies reported in this book are still in progress. Hence, the recommendations should be considered preliminary and subject to revision as more data become available.

Thus, the book provides the following:

a preliminary model for the estimation of property values for a whole-tree from a single sampling point;

a description of within-tree variation of various properties in several eucalypt species;

a discussion of issues involved in modelling property variation;

outlines of sampling procedures; and

a summary of existing knowledge as literature reviews (Appendixes 1–4).

Sampling Plantation Eucalypts for Wood and Fibre Properties also provides an introduction to the issue of relating wood properties to tree growth, and current capacity and future potential to achieve this objective is discussed. With the rapid advance in technology, as well as the increasing importance of commercial forests (tree farms), the potential to integrate our knowledge across the whole spectrum of the forest products industry is important. Often forestry and forest products research has been undertaken in isolated pockets, with little attempt at integrating the findings across the whole spectrum of the industry. Thus, the benefits of the research are not being fully captured. The developing interest and importance of process-based models should allow information on breeding and silviculture to be interpreted with respect to its effect on product performance. This book has been prepared with this end in sight.

The book provides a snapshot of wood-sampling issues, and has been produced within strict time constraints. Therefore, it is intended as a beginning, to provide a foundation for further discussion. A glossary has been included for the reader’s convenience, with each term appearing in bolded typeface at first mention within the text. The book reflects the efforts of many people, and consequently attempts to balance many different viewpoints. Much more work is required to apply the suggested procedures to identify their shortcomings and make them more robust.

The support of many persons must also be acknowledged. Dr Geoffrey Gartside, Codirector of the CRC–HFPS (1992–96) provided the initial impetus to produce the working document on which this book was based. His vision and encouragement were greatly appreciated. The role of the Advisory Committee of the CRC–HFPS is appreciated in their desire to see this work published and, together with the CRC–THF, making available the funds needed for its publication. Both Mr Noel Clark and Mr Robin Cromer of CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products reviewed the manuscript and made many excellent and incisive comments. The support and encouragement of the Codirectors of the CRC–HFPS, Dr Robert Johnston and Dr Adrian Wallis, and the Director of the CRC–THF, Professor Jim Reid, has also made this project easier than it might otherwise have been.

Much of the information summarised here has arisen from the work of many people working within both CRCs. These include Bill Balodis, Dr Chris Beadle, Patricia Brennan, Jason Lawson, Andrew MacDonald, David Menz, Sharee Stringer, Kim Van Beveren, Lawrie Wilson and Dale Worledge. In addition, staff at North Eucalypt Technologies assisted in the analytical work, particularly Allan Jamieson, Jim French and Elliott Griffiths. Their work is greatly appreciated.

INTRODUCTION

Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises. Samuel Butler (1835–1902)

The Cooperative Research Centre for Temperate Hardwood Forestry (CRC–THF) and the Cooperative Research Centre for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science (CRC–HFPS) are involved in improving wood quality from plantation-grown eucalypts. To include wood properties in the assessment of tree breeding and silvicultural trials, it is important to estimate whole-tree properties from non-destructive samples.

The rationale of non-destructive sampling is based upon a belief that there is a consistent pattern of variability within and between trees on a given site, and between sites. Any estimate of a whole-tree value, from a non-destructive sample, depends on having a consistent pattern of variation within the tree for a given population. Literature on within-tree variation of wood properties in plantation eucalypts is limited, confused and often contradictory. The development of rapid analysis technology is essential to enable the analysis of sufficient sample numbers to generate maps of variability to resolve the confusion. This is a major research objective of the CRC–HFPS, and automated technology has been developed to this end. New developments in wood quality measurement within the CRC–HFPS will also reduce analysis costs.

Both CRCs have projects that involve modelling whole-tree wood properties from non-destructive sampling. The questions being addressed are:

what are the patterns of within-tree variation in wood properties? and

where does one sample a tree to obtain the best estimate of the whole-tree properties?

This document attempts to provide the best information currently available to answer these questions. In a sense this book is premature, as much more work is required to apply the proposed models and procedures and test their validity. However, as we are entering a new era of wood quality research, in which large sample numbers will be able to be measured rapidly and cost-effectively, it is beneficial to provide some direction to this work.

The research underlying the recommendations has focussed on temperate plantation eucalypts, primarily Eucalyptus nitens and E. globulus. These species are commercially predominant in south-eastern Australia, as well as many other locations around the world, such as Portugal. E. globulus is commonly planted on sites where cold tolerance is not so important to survival and performance, whereas E. nitens is planted at higher altitudes because of its greater frost resistance.

Cooperative Research Centres

The Australian Government instituted the CRC concept in 1991 with a view to integrating research carried out by industry, government and universities. Funding is provided for seven years after which the CRC is terminated. Provisions are available for new CRCs to be instituted, addressing new and continuing areas of research.

Cooperative Research Centre for Temperate Hardwood Forestry

The CRC–THF started in July 1991 and comprised researchers from CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products, the University of Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania and five major forestry companies: Australian Paper Plantations, Australian Newsprint Mills, Bunnings, Boral Timber and North Forest Products. The aim of the Centre is to improve the productivity and sustainability of temperate hardwood forestry. The research programs focus on three key areas: genetic improvement, soil and stand management, and resource protection.

The main contribution from the CRC–THF to this document has come from work conducted within the genetic improvement program. If tree breeders are going to be able to select trees with desirable properties, trees need to be ranked according to whole-tree values of the properties of value. However, trees are costly and it is desirable not to kill them. Therefore, a research project was established to investigate the issue(s) of non-destructive sampling to determine the relationship between sampling points and whole-tree values.

This project aimed to:

determine suitable sampling designs and sampling strategies for wood property assessments;

develop genetic parameter estimates for wood, fibre and pulping traits and their correlations with growth and stem form to allow incorporation of these traits into breeding strategies; and

provide a direct linkage between the two CRCs and provide a channel for information and ideas to pass between the Centres.

In July 1997 the CRC–THF was replaced by a new, larger CRC, the CRC for Sustainable Production Forestry. The new CRC contains all of the original partners plus researchers from new member organisations including CSIRO Division of Entomology, Queensland Forest Research Institute, Southern Cross University and Griffith University. The new Centre will include work on tropical pine species as well as temperate eucalypts and the focus will broaden from being purely pulp and paper oriented to include work on the potential for producing sawlogs from plantations. The research program areas remain similar, with the three programs being: genetic improvement, sustainable management and resource protection.

Cooperative Research Centre for Hardwood Fibre and Paper Science

The CRC–HFPS started in April 1992. It includes researchers from CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products; the School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, University of Melbourne; Australian Pulp and Paper Institute (APPI), Monash University; and the Pulp and Paper Manufacturers of Australia (PPMFA). The latter is an association of the major companies involved in pulp and paper manufacture within Australia.

The focus of the CRC has been to understand the factors that influence hardwood fibre properties from the time of production in the vascular cambium, to the time the fibres are incorporated into the final product. Research is conducted in three programs: fibres in trees (Program 1), fibres for pulp (Program 2),