Confocal laser scanning microscopy of water uptake during the recovery of compressed and drying-set wood

Abstract

The initial uptake of water by small fragments of compressed and drying-set wood of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don was monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) using an aqueous solution of the fluorescent dye acridine orange. CLSM allowed visualization of the recovery over time of compressed and drying-set wood and the uptake of water by the specimens. Furthermore, CLSM allowed us to monitor the structure of deformed tracheids under atmospheric conditions. Increases in the compression ratio increased the time required for the uptake of water. The uptake of water was detected first between deformed and undeformed regions of compressed and drying-set wood at all compression ratios tested.