Abnormal Wood in Yellow-Poplar, Liriodendron Tulipifera L.

This study presents data on the association of machining defects, density, shrinkage, and toughness with age and anatomical properties exemplified in gelatinous fibers, degrees of lignification, and varying volumes of parenchyma, vessels, and fibers. Safranine and fast green, phloroglucinol in hydrochloric acid, and chloroiodide of zinc stains of microscopic sections from 435 toughness specimens consistently revealed that yellow-poplar fibers progressed from a state of extremely limited lignification in the middle lamella and primary wall to one of complete lignification of the secondary wall. Differential staining with safranine and fast green gave the most easily-judged indication of the state of lignification. Reaction wood in yellow-poplar was difficult to determine microscopically, except in extreme cases, where a lighter, more lustrous growth ring of wider width was usually present. Machining problems were more prevalent in cross-grain wood than in reaction wood. Unlignified fibers were most always found with tension wood. Gelatinous fibers were found. Conditions resulting in production of unlignified cells or progressive changes in lignification also effect a reduction in vessel volume and an increase in fiber volume. Parenchyma volume is unaffected.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member