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Variability of Structure, Volume, Carbon Sequestration, and Growth–Climate Responses of Fir, Yew, Spruce, Pine and Larch Under Global Climate Change
Global climate change is reshaping Central European conifer forests, affecting growth and ecosystem dynamics. At the same time, tree species differ in their productivity and responses to climatic conditions. Across mid-elevation monocultures of European yew (Taxus baccata L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver fir (Abies alba Mill.), and European larch (Larix decidua Mill.), we quantified stand structure, volume, biomass carbon sequestration, and growth–climate responses (1971–2023). Silver fir reached the highest stand volume (711 m3 ha−1), with lower productivity in pine (−17.0%), larch (−22.9%), spruce (−26.0%), and yew (−70.6%). In contrast, larch maximised biomass carbon sequestration (267.7 t ha−1), whereas yew had the lowest value (87.7 t ha−1), but the greatest stand diversity (except high differentiation), while pine showed the lowest diversity. Radial growth was most constrained by warm Junes and dry Julys; an early-season multi-month drought compounded by heat further suppressed radial increments, and severe winter frosts added stress. Among the studied species, spruce was the most climate-sensitive, whereas fir and pine showed comparatively more resilience. From a practical forestry perspective, promoting structurally diverse stands with high production potential and prioritising climate-resilient tree species, especially fir, can help sustain production and stability at mid elevations under climate warming. Our results provide species-specific benchmarks for adaptive silviculture and identify the seasonal windows when growth is most vulnerable.
Exploitation of Perennial Plant Biomass for Particleboards Designed for Insulation Applications
With rising demand for wood products and reduced wood harvesting due to the European Green Deal, alternative lignocellulosic materials for insulation are necessary. In this work, we manufactured reference particleboard from industrial particles and fifteen different board variants from alternative lignocellulosic plants material, i.e., five types of perennial plant biomass in three substitutions: 30, 50 and 75% of their share in the board with a nominal density of 250 kg/m3. Within the analysis of manufactured boards, the mechanical, chemical and thermal properties were investigated—internal bond, formaldehyde emissions, thermal insulation, heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity. In the case of thermal conductivity, the most promising results from a practical point of view (W/mK < 0.07) were obtained with Sida hermaphrodita and Miscanthus, achieving the best results at 50% substitution. The lowest formaldehyde emissions were recorded for boards with Panicum virgatum and Miscanthus, highlighting their positive environmental performance. In terms of mechanical properties, the highest internal bond was noticed in particleboards with a 30% substitution of Spartina pectinata and Miscanthus. Research findings confirm the potential of perennial plants as a sustainable source of raw materials for insulation panel manufacturing. Despite needing improvements in mechanical properties, most notably internal bond strength, these plants offer an ecologically responsible solution aligned with global construction trends, thus lessening reliance on traditional wood products. Thus, long-term benefits may be realized through the strategic combination of diverse raw materials within a single particleboard.
The Wood Density of Pure and Mixed Norway Spruce, Scots Pine, and Silver Birch Stands in Lithuania Using IML Resi
The transition from pure to mixed-species forest stands is increasingly promoted to enhance ecosystem stability and multifunctionality. The growth conditions may influence the physical and mechanical properties of wood. This study evaluated wood density in pure and mixed stands of silver birch, Norway spruce, and Scots pine in Lithuania and analyzed its relationships with tree allometric parameters. Nine study plots representing pure (100%) and mixed (70/30%) stands were established under comparable site conditions. Wood density at breast height was assessed using resistance drilling (IML Resi PD500), and the increment core samples were analyzed with the LIGNOSTATION™ system. The mean values of wood density for silver birch differed by 11%, depending on the wood density determination method used. Differences between pure and mixed stands were insignificant and generally did not exceed 6%–10%. No consistent trend that was attributable to species mixing was identified. The combined data from pure and mixed stands indicate that the mean wood density, converted from microdrilling measurements, was highest in silver birch (546 kg m−3 ± 1.87 kg m−3), followed by Scots pine (476 kg m−3 ± 1.85 kg m−3) and Norway spruce (437 kg m−3 ± 1.66 kg m−3). Resistance drilling showed a moderate relationship with the core samples’ wood density (R2 = 0.59), supporting its suitability as a semi-nondestructive method. Diameter at breast height was the only tree parameter that was consistently significant across all predictive models. The combined model for all species explained up to 43% of wood density variation, while species-specific models had lower explanatory power. Overall, the results indicate that species mixing has a limited effect on wood density under the studied conditions and is unlikely to substantially alter wood quality in terms of wood density.
Accuracy, repeatability and time consumption of selected digital measurement methods of roundwood stacks
Wood Quality of Pendulate Oak on Post-Agricultural Land: A Case Study Based on Physico-Mechanical and Anatomical Properties
Oak is one of the most economically important hardwood tree species in Europe, and its prevalence will increase due to progressing global climate change, according to predictive models. With the increasing demand for timber and with the need for a balance between carbon emissions and sequestration, it is essential to address the afforestation of agricultural land. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the physico-mechanical properties and anatomical structure of pendulate oak (Quercus robur L.) wood—specifically focusing on the trunk’s cross-section—in post-agricultural areas compared with the forest land in the western part of Poland. Wood density, bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and other parameters were analyzed from 1626 wood samples. The analysis of physico-mechanical properties reveals that, historically, agricultural land use has an almost negligible impact on wood quality. Despite significant differences in small vessel diameter and fiber length favoring trees from post-agricultural land, the physico-mechanical properties remain consistent. Large vessel measurements show comparable diameter and length in both land types. These findings suggest that post-agricultural land can serve as an effective alternative for high-quality pendulate oak wood production for industrial purposes. However, wood from post-agricultural land may exhibit a decrease in modulus of rupture by over 30% and potentially lower density above the trunk’s halfway point. This observation hints at the fact that oak trees in post-agricultural areas could be cultivated in shorter rotation periods compared to forest land.
Estimating the volume of stacked wood using the dynamic conversion factor calculated by a lidar-based smartphone app
Wood density and annual ring width of pedunculate oak from stands grown on former agricultural land
The main aim of this study was to determine differences in basic density and average annual ring width of pendulate oak wood collected from trees grown on former agricultural land and on forestland, using a dimensional method. The experiment was carried out in thewestern part of Poland, near to Poznan, which is in the central part of the European range of pedunculate oak. In our study the average basic density was 0.528 g.cm-3, and the value for former agricultural land was lower by 0.026 g.cm-3 than that for forest land. Differences in basic density values between these two land types were statistically significant. The average annual ring width in samples collected from forest land in our study was 2.48 mm, samples from former agricultural land were characterized by wider average annual rings. The results suggest that there are significant differences in quality of wood from former agricultural land and from forest. However, from view of wood quality and applications the difference is not important.
Within-Stem Differences in Moisture Content Loss during Transpiration and Air-Drying of Felled Oak Trees
Measuring Radial Variation in Basic Density of Pendulate Oak: Comparing Increment Core Samples with the IML Power Drill
Sustainable management of wood residues: challenges of recycling, combustion and environmental impact
In the quest for climate neutrality, the importance of sustainability and the reuse of wood waste are becoming crucial. To determine how wood waste is managed by wood and wood-based panel plants, the research aimed to focus particularly on energy recovery contribution. The research was based on quantitative data analysis obtained through computer-assisted telephone interviews. The results showed that over 57 % of respondents declared that they combusted waste to recover energy, which causes immediate CO2 emissions, instead of enabling long-term storage in wood-based products. Further research analyzed the emissions produced by combustion of the selected products: MDF boards and softwood and hardwood pellets. Laboratory tests showed that the incineration of MDF boards resulted in the emission of a number of harmful substances, which pose a threat to health and the environment. In contrast, burning pellets does not generate toxic compounds, but it still leads to the release of CO2. Research findings indicate the need for further research into the cascading wood utilization strategy, focusing on the use of wood waste in the material cycle instead of the energy cycle in order to understand and promote the EU’s sustainable development goals throughout the wood industry.
The possibility of using non-native spruces for norway spruce wood replacement—a case study from the Czech Republic
European forests are facing ongoing climate change, and certain tree species are being critically impacted. The Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) is one of the most sensitive species to climate fluctuations, a fact manifesting itself through massive dieback resulting in a lack of high-quality timber and timber market destabilization. Therefore, the possibility of wood substitution with non-native spruce species, namely, black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britt., Sterns, et Poggenburg), Serbian spruce (Picea omorika (Pančić) Purk.), and blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.), under the specific conditions of forest reclamations with great potential for future afforestation was tested. Wood density, modulus of rupture, and modulus of elasticity were used to evaluate wood quality in comparison with native Norway spruce. The results confirmed that only the Serbian spruce reached the quality of Norway spruce and even exceeded it in terms of wood density (P. omorika 525 kg·m−3 vs. P. abies 517 kg·m−3) and exhibited comparable parameters with regard to other properties. The density of the other species was significantly lower for blue spruce (476 kg·m−3) and black spruce (468 kg·m−3). A similar trend was found for other wood parameters, which confirmed that Norway spruce quality was nearly comparable with that of Serbian spruce. On the other hand, black spruce and blue spruce did not match the quality of Norway spruce. The within-stem variability of the properties tested was low for all the spruce species examined. In conclusion, the Serbian spruce showed great potential for future usage in forest management and is one of the possible methods of Norway spruce replacement in times of unprecedented forest disturbances under the effects of global climate change.
Tis červený (Taxus baccata L.) a jeho význam v přírodě blízkém obhospodařování lesů v podmínkách klimatické změny – review
European yew (Taxus baccata L.) is a key tree species in forest ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. However, its populations have declined significantly due to historical overexploitation, habitat fragmentation, and increasing environmental pressures, particularly under ongoing climate change. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the ecological characteristics, distribution, and silvicultural management of yew, emphasising its role in close-to-nature forest management. It discusses the species’ resilience to drought, shade tolerance and potential for adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Conservation strategies including natural and artificial regeneration, site-specific silvicultural interventions and the need for wildlife management to mitigate herbivore damage are also reviewed. The economic and pharmacological importance of yew, particularly as a source of taxanes for anticancer treatment, is also highlighted. The review also examines the sensitivity of the species to biotic and abiotic stressors and predicts its future distribution under climate change scenarios. The results highlight the need for targeted conservation measures, assisted migration, and adaptive forest management to sustain yew populations. Future research should integrate genetic diversity studies, climate modelling, and field-based silvicultural experiments to increase the species’ viability and ecological functions in European forest ecosystems.
Accuracy of Photo-Optical Timber Measurement Using a Stereo Camera Technology
Harvested timber requires efficient and accurate measurements for timber trade. Recently, the amount of timber that is harvested for industrial purposes is growing and methods for roundwood measurements are under constant development. Some of these solutions are with certification confirming its accuracy, some of them are proposed for general use without certification. The aim of this paper was to select the best and most useful electronic solution for timber volume masurement and calculation, and to recommend the most effective and accurate solution for future timber trade. Three photo-optical systems were tested: LogStackPro, iFovea and Timbeter. Each system was used to measure 71 stacks of pine and oak roundwood, which amounted to 3481.15 cubic meter stacked. Timber volumes obtained from the manual measurements were used as reference. Volumes obtained from the photo-optical systems were larger in comparison with the volume from manual measurements, by 3.37, 8.07 and 9.08%, in LogStackPro, iFovea and Timbeter, respectively. It was concluded from the tested systems that, currently, the most recommended solution for timber measurement will be LogStack Pro, which also presented, in most cases, the smallest deviations from the volume obtained in manual measurements.
Radial Variability of Selected Physical and Mechanical Parameters of Juvenile Paulownia Wood from Extensive Cultivation in Central Europe—Case Study
The research on Paulownia cultivation and wood properties is up to date in many countries. However, there are no data on the properties of this wood defined on a microscale, on microtome samples. The main aim of this study was to find the best valorization path for the wood of Paulownia Shang Tong Hybrid F1 from an extensively cultivated plantation established in April 2017 in Poland by determining the tensile strength, the wood density, the strength-to-density ratio, and the modulus of elasticity on a cross-section of the trunk. The wood was collected from extensive plantation, where production is based on the natural resources of the habitat and ambient weather conditions, which is the opposite to the intensive cultivation model, which is the recommended model of Paulownia cultivation. The results of this study show that the mean density of the analyzed samples was approximately 210 kg/m3 when the mean value of the modulus of elasticity (MOE) was approximately 2400 MPa. The mean result for the tensile strength ratio to density was 11.25 km. In the case of anatomical structure, the increasing trend with age was noticed both in fiber and vessel characteristics. The study results provide unique data worldwide about Paulownia wood’s properties based on a cross-section of the trunk, from plantations cultivated in conditions which are not recommended by seedlings producers. The obtained data indicate that the Paulownia wood (examined) from the cultivation in this study has a technical quality similar to that of model-intensive agricultural plantations.
Omorika Spruce as a Potential Substitute for Norway Spruce and Blue Spruce in Post-Pollution Reforestation for Industrial Use
European beech potential for agricultural land afforestation: an anatomical and wood quality perspective
Abstract The European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is one of the most economically and ecologically important deciduous tree species in Europe. However, there is a lack of scientific knowledge regarding quality of wood growing on former agricultural land exists in the case of European beech. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the wood properties of European beech growing on former agricultural land compared to standard forest stands in north-western Poland. In total 2457 specimens were tested in mechanical strength and around 1000 for dimensions of micro and macrostructural wood elements. In the case of the most important parameter – the wood density, no significant differences were found between values observed in standard forest land (0.722 g/cm3) and afforested farmland (0.701 g/cm3). Land use did not significantly influence MOR nor MOE. However, higher values for these parameters were observed on forest land. The annual ring width was significantly wider on trees that grew on former agricultural land. The high variability with significant differences was obtained within the dimensions of vessels and fibers. The presented results have confirmed that European beech species is highly suitable for former agricultural land afforestation with high-quality wood production. These findings challenge the assumption that wood on afforested agricultural land has worse quality and support its viability for industrial purposes.
