Effects of Lean in Red Alder Trees on Wood Shrinkage and Density

Authors

  • Eini C. Lowell
  • Robert L. Krahmer

Keywords:

Red alder, shrinkage, X-ray densitoractry

Abstract

Certain wood qualities may be affected by lean in red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) trees. Such characteristics as shrinkage and density can potentially cause problems in the manufacture of products from red alder. Thirty-six trees with varying degrees of lean (0 to 20 degrees) and different diameters (12 to 24 inches) were selected. Cross-sectional disks were cut from the top of the first 10-foot log and used for measuring shrinkage (longitudinal, radial, and tangential) and density. Wood density was measured using an X-ray densitometer. Each sample was categorized as coming from the tension or compression side of the stem. Subsampling within sides permitted examination of the effect on shrinkage of position in relation to the pith. Longitudinal, radial, and tangential shrinkages were affected by all or some of the following factors: lean, side, and position. There was no significant effect of lean or side on wood density.

References

American Society for Testing and Materials. 1991. Standard test methods for specific gravity of wood and wood-base materials. D 1105-84 and D 2395. Annual book of ASTM standards, vol. 4.09, Wood. Philadelphia, PA.nBeachy, D. L., and R. O. McMahon. 1987. Economic value of the Pacific Northwest hardwood industry in 1985. Oregon State University, Forest Research Laboratory, Corvallis, OR. 53 pp.nHarrington, C. A., and D. S. DeBell. 1980. Variation in specific gravity of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.). Canadian J. Forestry 10:293-299.nKurth, E. F., and Edwin L. Becker. 1953. The chemical nature of the extractives from red alder. Tappi 36(10):461-466.nLeney, L. A., A. Jackson, and H. D. Erickson. 1978. Properties of red alder and its comparison to other hardwoods. Pages 25-33 in D. G. Briggs, D. S. DeBell, and W. A. Atkinson, comps. Utilization and management of alder: Proceedings of a symposium, April 25-27, 1977, Ocean Shores, WA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-70. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR.nPanshin, A. J., and C. deZeeuw. 1970. Textbook of wood technology, vol. 1. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY.nParker, M. L., J. H. G. Smith, and S. Johnson. 1978. Annual-ring width and density patterns in red alder. Wood Fiber 10(2):120-130.nPlank, M. E., T. A. Snellgrove, and S. A. Willits. 1990. Product values dispel "weed species" myth of red alder. Forest Prod. J. 40(2):23-28.nResch, H. 1988. Red alder: Better utilization of a resource. Special Publication 16. Forest Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 13 pp.nTarrant, R. F. 1977. Attitudes toward red alder in the Douglas-fir region. Pages 1-7 in D. G. Briggs, D. S. DeBell, and W. A. Atkinson, comps. Utilization and managment of alder: Proceedings of a symposium, April 25-27, 1977, Ocean Shores, WA. Gen. Tech. Rep, PNW-70. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR.nU.S. Department of Agriculture. 1987. Wood hand-book: Wood as an engineering material. (Rev.) Agricultural Handbook 72. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. 466 pp.nWillits, S., T. A. Snellorove, and M. E. Plank. 1990. Lean in red alder: Its effect on product volume and quality. Forest Prod. J. 40(11/12):31-34.nWorthington, N. P., R. H. Ruth, and E. E. Matson. 1962. Red alder—Its management and utilization. Misc. Pub, 881. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. 44 pp.n

Downloads

Published

2007-06-28

Issue

Number 1 / January 1993

Section

Research Contributions

License

The copyright of an article published in Wood and Fiber Science is transferred to the Society of Wood Science and Technology (for U. S. Government employees: to the extent transferable), effective if and when the article is accepted for publication. This transfer grants the Society of Wood Science and Technology permission to republish all or any part of the article in any form, e.g., reprints for sale, microfiche, proceedings, etc. However, the authors reserve the following as set forth in the Copyright Law:

1. All proprietary rights other than copyright, such as patent rights.

2. The right to grant or refuse permission to third parties to republish all or part of the article or translations thereof. In the case of whole articles, such third parties must obtain Society of Wood Science and Technology written permission as well. However, the Society may grant rights with respect to Journal issues as a whole.

3. The right to use all or part of this article in future works of their own, such as lectures, press releases, reviews, text books, or reprint books.