• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2003

The size distribution of the free water paths between earlywood and latewood for six species in the heartwood of softwoods was estimated from the amount of dehydrated free water under various centrifugal fields, such as 2,200, 3,300, 4,800 and 6,900 rpm. The centrifugal method is based on the concept that water movement occurs by the balance of centrifugal force and water potential by meniscus. Water stops where the pressure differential is zero. In the centrifugal field, only two factors affect water movement in wood, that is, centrifugal force and water potential. Also, the water permeability was evaluated from the relationship between the water saturation ratio after the centrifugal treatment and the measure of water potential in specimen. The results showed that Cryptpmeria japonica had clear peaks at 0.70 ㎛ in earlywood and at 0.50 ㎛ in latewood. Tsuga sieboldii and Larix kaemferi had peaks at 0.50 and 0.30 ㎛ in both earlywood and latewood, respectively. Abies firma showed peaks at 0.70 ㎛ in earlywood and at 0.30 ㎛ in latewood. The water permeability of earlywood was higer than that of latewood for all softwoods except Pseudotsuga menziesii.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.646-652
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• 2014

This study was carried out to test the possibility that tracheid length of red pine growing in Sokwang-ri in Uljin could be used as one of variables to estimate its wood properties. For the study, forest stands of V (500 m a.s.l.) and VIIII (900 m a.s.l.) age class plots were selected in the region, and three trees in each plot were investigated. The tracheid length was separately measured for early- and latewood. It took approximately 25 and 40 years for V and VIIII age class stands, respectively, until the length was stabilized. The lengths in latewood were 3.14 (V age class) and 3.30 (VIIII age class) mm, and in earlywood 2.98 (V age class) and 3.15 (VIIII age class) mm. The lengths in latewood therefore were longer than in earlywood and the lengths for VIIII age class were longer than for V age class. However, the ratio between their lengths in early- and latewood was the same as 0.96 in all age classes. It might be verified whether this ratio can be used as a variable to test the wood property according to provinces by comparing it with others.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.23-30
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• 2007

Round piles of Korean larch were excavated from the foundation of ex-Chosunchongdokbu (ex-Chosun Governer-General Building), which was constructed in 1916 and dismantled later in 1996. By the record (Huh, 1996), the Korean larch logs were logged from the Yalu river area near Mt. Baekdu in North Korea. At present, however, Korean larch is not so popular in South Korea. The latewood ratio profiles and strength properties (longitudinal compression, shear, longitudinal tensile, and bending) were obtained. The ratio of latewood from pith to bark increased up to 25 years, and then it showed constant tendency at 40% with some variances. From the microscopic observation, however, the latewood ratio decreased from the heartwood to the sapwood. Compression strength was greater and bending strength was a little lower than the previous reports (references 13~15), which might be attributed to the strength reduction of old structural members by aging or damage in the compression specimens than the bending ones. The flat-grained specimens for the shear and tension test showed higher coefficient of variation (COV) than the edge-grained ones. For the better comparison of results, in case of shear and tensile strength tests, the strength values of the edge-grained specimens were thought to be adopted rather than those of flat-grained ones.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1991

This study deals with the effect of dwarf growth on xylem structure, especially on the dimension of xylem elements described for 12 species of naturally occuring dwarf trees. The length and tangential diameter of tracheary elements and fibers in dwarf trees appear to be shorter and narrower than those in normal trees. Radial width and cell number of the same annual rings are narrower and smaller in dwarf trees than those in normal trees. Height of rays in dwarf trees is lower than that in normal trees. Dwarf conifers appear to have higher ratio, of latewood to earlywood than that in normal trees. In the hardwood species studied, mesomorphy of vessel elements is lower in dwarfs than that in normal trees. It can be concluded that this dwarf growth occurs as a result of extremely slow growth by environmental stress such as water deficiency.ciency.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.385-392
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plantation thinning on physical and mechanical properties of Larix kaempferi. Tree samples were obtained from unthinned, moderately, heavily thinned plantations where located in Kwangryung forest research stand. The effects of different thinning methods on the bending and parallel to grain compressive strengths of Larix kaempferi were explored. Average latewood ratio with various thinning treatments revealed the trend of unthinning < moderate thinning < heavy thinning treatment. Average annual ring width with various thinning treatments showed the trend of unthinning < moderate thinning or heavy thinning treatment. Average bending and parallel to grain compressive strengths with various thinning treatments revealed the trend of unthinning > moderate thinning > heavy thinning treatment. This indicates that thinning treatment reduces average bending and parallel to grain compressive strength properties.