Characteristics and response of wood in declining trees from forests affected by pollution

Abstract

A review is given of the literature concerned with the characteristics of wood from diseased forests affected by pollution, and the wood properties of these trees with regard to utilisation are evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative studies on the anatomical and chemical characteristics of the wood from diseased trees indicate that changes, which impair the quality of wood, do not occur in softwoods. The physical and elastomechanical properties of wood from diseased trees correspond with those of wood from healthy trees. Preliminary findings with beech show equally reassuring results. Experiments with wood in forest storage do not indicate apredisposition for quality loss. Further research is recommended to understand the structural and physiological relationship in the response of the cambial tissue in diseased trees. Experiments are also needed on adequate storage procedures once regional foresters have to cope with the harvest of unexpected quantities of diseased trees.