Wood Material Properties of Forest Fire-Damaged Norway Spruce and Scots Pine for Mechanical Wood Processing in Finland
Source abstract
Abstract
Due to climate change, the risk of forest fires has increased in Europe, resulting in challenges in the allocation of salvaged wood. We studied the raw material potential for wood products of Norway spruce and Scots pine sawn log trees that remained standing after a large forest fire in Kalajoki, Finland, in July 2021. Eight burned trees, with four reference trees per species, were sampled as standard specimens, and measurements were analyzed with linear mixed models. The effects of fire on the modulus of elasticity and rupture, Brinell hardness, moisture gradient, and color were measured on clear wood specimens of sapwood and heartwood. The wood density, level of fire damage, and height location of a tree were used as additional predictors. The results show some changes in the sapwood material. Spruce wood underwent stronger changes after the fire than pine wood, probably due to spruce wood having a thinner bark and a longer crown. The moisture content decreased in spruce, and the color darkened in both spruce and pine. Changes in the mechanical properties were mostly negligible, but a small increase in the Brinell hardness in spruce and a small decrease in the modulus of rupture in pine were observed. Fresh salvaged wood can be a suitable material for middle-quality and lower-quality wood products. The spread of char and soot into wood and wood processing machinery still limits its usage, especially for spruce.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Fire effects on ecosystems · Wood Treatment and Properties · Tree Root and Stability Studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production Systems, Yliopistokatu 6B, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Yliopistokatu 7 (Futura), FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland
UPM Forest, Kaarinantie 700, FI-20540 Turku, Finland
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Production Systems, Viikinkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
Funding
Puumiesten ammattikasvatussäätiö · Luke’s strategic project PosFibes · Pyhäjoen Puu Oy
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