Wood identification using non-destructive confocal laser scanning microscopy

Čufar, Katarina (author), Balzano, Angela (author), Krže, Luka (author), Merela, Maks (author)

Exact wood identification is usually based on observation of wood features under the microscope. For this, we have to take a sample of the wood from the object and cut thin slides, possibly of all three anatomical sections. Such destructive sampling is often not possible on valuable historical objects, and therefore there is a need for non-destructive approaches. The objective of the study is to present the potential of Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) using an Olympus LEXT OLS5000 for the identification of wood. We present work on an example of a gothic sculpture, “St. George Defeating the Dragon”. Conventional sampling and microscopical wood identification showed that St. George is made of Norway spruce (Picea abies), and the dragon of poplar (Populus sp.) or willow (Salix sp.). We present crucial features needed for the identification of these species and the limitations with identification if the samples are too small. Finally, we demonstrate the possibility of wood identification of the abovementioned species using CLSM on wood samples without special preparation of the surfaces. CLSM enabled us to observe all the features needed for wood identification.

• Language: English
• Keywords: confocal laser scanning microscopy, wood anatomy, wood identification, Picea abies, Populus sp., Salix sp.
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2019
• Number of pages: Str. 19-29
• Numbering: Letn. 68, št. 2
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-126632
• UDC: 630*811:543.456
• ISSN on article: 0024-1067
• DOI: 10.26614/les-wood.2019.v68n02a02
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3168137
• Publication date in RUL: 29.04.2021

ČUFAR, Katarina, BALZANO, Angela, KRŽE, Luka and MERELA, Maks, 2019, Wood identification using non-destructive confocal laser scanning microscopy. Les [online]. 2019. Vol. 68, no. 2, p. 19–29. [Accessed 16 June 2025]. DOI 10.26614/les-wood.2019.v68n02a02. Retrieved from: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?lang=eng&id=126632

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Les
• Shortened title: Les
• Publisher: Zveza društev inženirjev in tehnikov gozdarstva in lesarstva Slovenije, Zveza društev inženirjev in tehnikov gozdarstva in lesarstva Slovenije, Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za lesarstvo, Založba Univerze, Biotehniška fakulteta, Oddelek za lesarstvo, Založba Univerze
• ISSN: 0024-1067
• COBISS.SI-ID: 13940224

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 29.04.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Identifikacija lesa s pomočjo nedestruktivne konfokalne laserske mikroskopije

Abstract

Natančna identifikacija lesa običajno temelji na opazovanju anatomskih znakov pod mikroskopom. Za to moramo odvzeti vzorec lesa in narezati tanke preparate, po možnosti vseh treh anatomskih prerezov. Takšno destruktivno vzorčenje na dragocenih zgodovinskih predmetih pogosto ni sprejemljivo, zato iščemo nedestruktivne pristope. Cilj te študije je predstaviti možnosti identifikacije lesa s pomočjo konfokalnega laserskega mikroskopa (CLSM) Olympus LEXT OLS5000. Identifikacijo predstavljamo na primeru gotskega kipa svetega Jurija z zmajem. Konvencionalno vzorčenje in mikroskopska identifikacija lesa sta pokazala, da je sveti Jurij narejen iz lesa navadne smreke (Piceaabies), zmaj pa iz lesa topola (Populussp.) ali vrbe (Salixsp.). Predstavljamo ključne značilnosti, potrebne za identifikacijo naštetih vrst, in omejitve identifikacije, če so vzorci premajhni. Na koncu pokažemo možnost identifikacije lesa zgoraj omenjenih vrst s CLSM na vzorcih lesa brez posebne priprave površine. CLSM nam je omogočil opazovanje vseh anatomskih znakov, potrebnih za identifikacijo lesa.

• Keywords: konfokalna laserska vrstična mikroskopija, anatomija lesa, identifikacija lesa, Picea abies, Populus sp., Salix sp.

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P4-0015
• Name: Les in lignocelulozni kompoziti