The laser-sandblasting method: A new method for the qualitative annual ring analysis of conifers |
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| Authors: | G Lesnino |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute for Wood Research University of Munich, Winzererstr. 45, D-80797 Munich, FRG |
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| Abstract: | Summary For the assessment of many different aspects of growth processes in trees millions of annual rings are being measured all over the world every year. Other studies dealing with the prediction or explanation of wood properties also require numerous density measurements. While the density of a wood sample is relatively easy to determine by stereogravimetric methods, density relationships or variations within a piece of wood and within individual annual rings can only be detected by time-consuming techniques, e.g. radiodensitometry. A new, simplified method for ring analysis was developed with the aid of the sandblasting and laser sensor method. This process permits the automatic recording of annual radial increment and simultaneously provides results on the mean and intra-annual density of the wood specimens. Sandblasting of cross-sections of stems or of radial strips produces hardness profiles. Due to the hardness variations in these profiles individual annual rings can be more or less easily identified macroscopically, depending on the wood species. Furthermore, density variations are also macroscopically visible on account of the relationship between abrasion depth and density: Sandblasting can be said to provide a three-dimensional representation of the density relationships in wood. Following the numerical recording of these surface profiles with the aid of a laser sensor and upon conversion of abrasion depth profiles into density profiles radial increment and density parameters for stem radii, segments of radii or even individual annual rings can be determined. A comparison with the conventional radiodensitometric ring analysis method shows very good correlations with the results achieved in this study. The advantage of the laser-sandblasting method is that large samples can be investigated without great preparatory effort and in a single processing step. |
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