Tropolone Content of Increment Cores as an Indicator of Decay Resistance in Western Redcedar

Authors

  • Jeffrey D. DeBell
  • Jeffrey J. Morrell
  • Barbara L. Gartner

Keywords:

<i>Thuja plicata</i>, tropolones, thujaplicins, decay resistance

Abstract

The high decay resistance of western redeedar (Thuja plicata Donn) is due to the presence of toxic extractives, called tropolones, in the heartwood. Therefore, tropolone content may be used as an indicator of decay resistance. With increment core-sized samples of western redcedar heartwood, we used gas chromatography to measure tropolone content and soil block tests to assess decay resistance. Results showed that decay resistance was extremely variable at low tropolone levels, but was uniformly high at tropolone levels of 0.25% or greater. Analyzing tropolone content of western redeedar increment cores is a useful way to assess decay resistance of standing trees.

References

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Published

2007-06-19

Issue

Number 4 / October 1997

Section

Research Contributions

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