Durability and moisture dynamics of Douglas-fir wood from Slovenia

Humar, Miha (author), Vek, Viljem (author), Oven, Primož (author), Lesar, Boštjan (author), Kržišnik, Davor (author), Keržič, Eli (author), Hočevar, Miha (author), Brus, Robert (author)

Wood in outdoor applications is subject to various decomposition factors. Wood degradation can be prevented by construction details, biocide protection of wood, wood modification or selection of naturally durable species. Unfortunately, most species in Europe do not have naturally durable wood. Imported tree species represent a new pool from which we can draw wood species with better natural durability and better resilience towards climate change. The performance of wood when used outdoors depends on the biologically active compounds (extractives) and the water exclusion efficacy. Considering decay, presence of biologically active compounds and water exclusion efficacy, we can estimate the density, modulus of elasticity, extractive content and resistance dose, which reflects the material properties of wood. Recently, the most commonly used model for this purpose is Meyer-Veltrup. Literature data indicate that the durability of the wood from native and new sites is not always comparable, so it is necessary to determine the resistance of non-native wood species from new sites. This paper presents original data on the wood’s overall durability from American Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) grown in Slovenia. Experimental data show that the mature heartwood of Douglas fir is more durable than the wood of European larch (Larix decidua). Durability can be attributed to good water exclusion efficacy and inherent durability. Inherent durability is primarily the result of the high content of extractives. Based on the results, it can be concluded that American Douglas fir grown in Central Europe has a high potential for outdoor use.

• Language: English
• Keywords: wood, natural durability, wood decay, water exclusion efficacy, extractives
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: 15 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 13, art. 860734
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-136463
• UDC: 630*8
• ISSN on article: 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.860734
• COBISS.SI-ID: 102652675
• Publication date in RUL: 05.05.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in plant science
• Shortened title: Front. plant sci.
• Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
• ISSN: 1664-462X
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3011663

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.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: les, naravna odpornost, razkroj lesa, odpornost proti navlaževanju, ekstraktivi