Sweden
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June 6, 2022
(press release)
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A new dissertation from Linnaeus University looks at how we can improve Swedish birch wood properties through tree breeding, forest management and with better measurement methods. Grace Jones, in the department of Forestry and Wood Technology, has studied birch wood properties from genetics trials and a species mixture trial of spruce and birch. The hope is that this increased knowledge will make birch forests more popular and, as a result, inspire new products and areas of use. Birches Photo: Grace Jones Birch is our third most common tree species. However, only a fraction of the stems are used for anything more refined than pulpwood and firewood, despite the fact that Swedish birches grow by 15 million cubic meters per year. “The aim of this dissertation is to highlight birch’s potential as a high-quality material.” Grace Jones In her dissertation, Grace Jones has studied the wood properties in breeding trials with silver birch and downy birch, as well as the effects of mixed species forests where the proportions of spruce and birch varied. “The aim of this dissertation is to highlight birch’s potential as a high-quality material. Swedish birch is often neglected in silviculture, which results in low-value logs. The results from this dissertation will be of interest to forest managers who want to breed birch, or choose birch stands, for solid wood products like, for instance, floors and furniture”, Jones explains. Grace measures the sound waves with Fakopp Tree Sonic Timer. Photo: Robin Lindell In order to measure wood properties like density, stiffness and grain angle, Jones has used a number of non-destructive testing methods. “The measurements give an idea of the properties of the wood you can expect to produce from these trees.” Grace Jones When using these modern measurement techniques, you may only need small wood samples to draw conclusions for the rest of the stem. Furthermore, some of the methods do not require removing any wood from the tree. Unlike more destructive wood measurements, these tests do not harm the tree so it can continue to grow afterwards. The cover image of the dissertation shows a grain angle gauge in the middle. Photo: Grace Jones. “The measurements give an idea of the properties of the wood you can expect to produce from these trees. It can help to know if some trees are more likely to produce wood that bends or warps, and to even select trees that may be particularly hard, or will better avoid dents”, Jones concludes. Grace Jones’s research is part of FRAS (Future silviculture in southern Sweden), a joint research project by Linnaeus University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), and the Swedish forestry research institute Skogforsk. FRAS aims to contribute to development of silviculture in southern Sweden, and adapt silviculture to meet both the present needs and future conditions. This is done in close collaboration with the forestry industry in the region. More information Link to dissertation: Birch Stem and Wood Traits in Genetic and Silviculture Trials in Southern Sweden http://lnu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1653323&dswid=-9020 Link to the project: Contact Grace Jones, doctor in forest industry production systems, Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, phone: +4672-535 28 42, email: grace.jones@lnu.se Liv Ravnböl, research communications officer, phone: +4676-760 36 66, email: liv.ravnbol@lnu.se Ulrika Bergström, press officer, phone: +4670-259 36 29, email: ulrika.bergstrom@lnu.se To view the full article on the Linnaeus University website, click here.
https://www.slu.se/en/departments/southern-swedish-forest-research-centre/Joint-venture/FRAS/
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