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Journal of Wood Science

Official Journal of the Japan Wood Research Society

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Radial distribution patterns of the green moisture content in trunks of 46-year-old red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis)

Journal of Wood Science volume 53, pages 374–380 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Understanding the green moisture content and wood density is important for effective forest management. Radial distribution patterns in the green moisture content (MC) and basic density (BD) in stems of red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis) were investigated in 69 plantation trees that were 46 years old. An increment core was collected from each sample tree at breast height (1.3 m). Five radial positions were defined: pith piece (Pith), inner heartwood (IHW), outer heartwood (OHW), intermediate wood (TSH), and sapwood (SW). Results showed that the average MC was highly dependent on the individual tree. Average values of the MC obtained from the TSH were significantly lower than those for the other positions. The MC of heartwood was higher than that of SW. Distribution patterns of the MC in the radial direction varied among trees. Radial variations in MC and BD were greater than in between-tree variations. Six types of radial distribution patterns of MC were detected for sample trees. MC values increased with decreasing BD (except for the TSH). Positive correlations were found between adjacent sampling positions in both MC and BD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Forest Management, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, 100, Taiwan

    Chih-Ming Chiu

  2. Division of Forest Utilization, Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, 53 Nan-Hai Rd., Taipei, 100, Taiwan

    Cheng-Jung Lin

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  1. Chih-Ming Chiu
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  2. Cheng-Jung Lin
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Correspondence to Cheng-Jung Lin.

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Chiu, CM., Lin, CJ. Radial distribution patterns of the green moisture content in trunks of 46-year-old red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis). J Wood Sci 53, 374–380 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-007-0885-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-007-0885-9

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