A new individual-based forest model for the species beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) was developed and implemented. The model called BEEch Plasticity (BEEP) describes tree crown plasticity phenomenologically and is able to model aboveground competition for PAR on a process basis. The current debate about the tree interactions in near-natural beech forests and their role in emergent forest structures and dynamics led to the research questions if (1) observed patterns can be modeled and reproduced by only describing the aboveground tree interactions, (2) what effects tree crown plasticity has on the structure and dynamics of near-natural beech forests, and (3) what effects selective thinning has on the structure and dynamics of near-natural beech forests. The BEEP model was developed, parameterized, calibrated, and validated according to data from the unmanaged forest `Schattiner Zuschlag' near Lübeck, North-Germany, while additional data from the sites Langula (Thuringia) and Fabrikschleichach (Bavaria) was used for model parameterization and calibration. Three simulation experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, the BEEP model was run 10 times for 2000 time steps with plastic tree crowns and the emergent forest structure was analyzed using structural indices. In the second experiment, the BEEP model was run again 10 times for 2000 time steps but with a modified crown model that only uses rotation-symmetric tree crowns. In the third experiment, the BEEP model was enhanced with a selective thinning procedure that uses target trees with specific diameter and heights as thinning objects. Forest structure was analyzed through the application of structural indices that capture different aspects of forest structure and by means of characterization of forest development phases. Analysis was accomplished only for the time steps 1000-2000 in order to allow transient oscillation in forest dynamics to develop. The results showed that the focus on aboveground competition and tree interactions sufficed to model beech forests and reproduced a wide range of patterns observed in near-natural and old-growth beech forest. In particular, the BEEP model was able to simulate a multi-layered forest structure with a mosaic structure of several developmental stages on a relatively small area of 0.5 ha. The simulated forest had wide diameter and age distributions. The diameter distribution was reversed-J-shaped. The age range of canopy trees exceeded 200 years. The comparison between simulations with plastic and rotation-symmetric tree crowns revealed that crown plasticity reduced tree competition for crown space and PAR and enhanced the forest structure and heterogeneity in the long term by allowing more tree cohorts of dfferent developmental stages to coexist. This supports the notion that crown plasticity drives beech forest dynamics in near-natural forests. The comparison between simulations with plastic tree crowns and with additional selective thinning showed that thinning does not affect the forest structural heterogeneity and reduces tree crown competition, while spatial patterns of tree positions remained unaltered. However, crown centroids were more regularly distributed. Model assumptions in the submodel routines, especially in the radiation and mortality submodel, question the reliability of the model results, because of the high sensitivity that these routines evoke on model outcomes. Therefore, revised versions of the submodels and a thoroughly validated crown growth model, may produce different results. Thus, the results presented in this study should be treated with care and cannot be used for generalizations about tree interactions in near-natural beech forests.

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A compact laminated board can be obtained by pressing layers of veneers with no other material or substance placed between them. The process does not require the use of steam pretreatment, surface activation methods, a gastight press, friction or adhesives. It strictly involves the heat and the pressure induced by the press in the veneers. The levels of temperature, pressure and time leading to the highest bending-strength values when material factors are held constant are investigated. The objective of optimizing the process is reached using response surface methodology for modelling and analysis. The parameter interactions are found to be significant.Photography, scanning, X-ray densitometry, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are the methods used to visually analyse the final product. Densification and darkening are two of the effects observed. / <p>Godkänd; 2008; 20081113 (ysko)</p>

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Repeated partial cutting in the Appalachian hardwood region has often favored the development of tolerant species like American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and stands with a high proportion of cull trees. Crop tree release is a widely recommended practice to improve species composition and growth rates in these unevenaged structured stands. Chemical control offers some distinct advantages from the standpoint of safety and residual stand damage, over mechanical methods. Control of American beech was the primary focus of this study. Beech is a low value timber tree, normally considered difficult to control. It is a major competitor to more valuable trees, especially on better sites in the Appalachians. Research plots were established in hardwood stands at three sites in central West Virginia to evaluate the effectiveness of glyphosate (Accord), imazapyr (Arsenal AC and Chopper), and triclopyr (Garlon 3A and Garlon 4) using the hack-and-squirt application method and low volume basal spray treatments. In the injection treatments .051 fl oz (1.5 ml) of solution was used per inch of diameter (dbh). The basal spray treatments used 0.101 fl oz (3 ml) of solution per inch of diameter. The following concentrations were used: Accord (65.2%), Arsenal AC (7.5%), Garlon 3A (50%), Garlon 4 (26.25%), and Chopper (6.25% ). These concentrations were determined by using the highest costing injection and basal treatment at the lowest recommended labeled rate as standards, Garlon 3A and Chopper respectively. Eighteen 0.1 acre plots were systematically located at each study site where crop trees were present and to maximize the number of American beech on each plot. Crop trees, mostly black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) were chosen on a 0.025 acre subplot established at each plot center. All beech two inches and larger on the 0.1 acre plots and competing trees touching crop trees were treated in June 1998. The treatments were evaluated in September of 1998 and again in June of 1999. A numerical rating system ranging from 1-7, (0-100% crown affected), which utilized visual symptoms, was used to evaluate the efficacy of each treatment. Trees receiving a rating of 5 (75 % crown control) or greater were considered controlled. The relationship between the kinds of herbicide, application method, and numerical rating were analyzed by means of one-way analysis of variance with an incomplete random factorial design. The most effective treatments for the three month evaluations were the Accord and Garlon 3A injection treatments. Average beech crown control ranged from 95-99% for Accord to 96-99% for Garlon 3A across all study sites. The basal spray treatments were not effective. Average crown control ranged from 1-22%, across all study sites. Accord, Garlon 3A, and Arsenal AC were the most effective treatments for the 12 month evaluations, with average beech crown control ranging from 99-100% across all study sites. The imazapyr treatments (Arsenal Ac and Chopper) had adverse effects on the crop trees and are not recommended for hardwood crop tree release. The cost effectiveness based on treatment costs and the amount of basal area (BA) controlled were averaged for all study sites. The average treatment costs based on the 12 month evaluations expressed in dollars/ft2 BA controlled were as follows: Accord ($0.91), Garlon 3A ($1.04), Arsenal AC ($0.84), Garlon 4 ($15.09), and Chopper ($7.74). NE-TWIGS was used to predict future composition and value of the projected stands. The stem injection treatments decreased the amount of beech and increased the amount of black cherry sawtimber thereby dramatically increasing the future value of the stands. Real rates of return were calculated for the stem injection (8.81%) and low-volume basal spray (-0.81%). / Master of Science

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Colour and appearance of hardwood are of great importance for the interiorand furniture industry. The widespread use of transparent surface treatmentand a fashion that prescribe light colour on many species, means that deviationfrom the ideal have considerable impact on the industrial operations. Kilndrying is generally regarded as the process that has the greatest impact on thecolour of Nordic hardwood species. The lack of satisfactory explanation modelsfor many types of discoloration, however, complicates the control of the dryingprocess.This thesis is an attempt to increase the knowledge of which factors thatcontrol the appearance of some commonly found discolorations associated withdrying of beech, birch and oak. The main focus is on convection drying but alsothe influence of timber storage, pre-steaming and press drying has beeninvestigated for individual species. The studies have been conducted ascomparative studies based on design of experiments in which the colour wasdetermined using a colorimeter.Results show that reddish and dark discoloration of beech and birch duringconvective drying is mainly dependent on the temperature and time of exposurewhen the local moisture content exceeds the fibre saturation point. Theconversion of naturally occurring substances in birch into coloured compoundsis not due to active precursors created at high moisture content levels duringthe subsequent drying at low moisture content levels. Interior grey stain inbeech is caused by slow initial drying at low temperatures. Log storage in coldwinter and spring climate does not cause discoloration in beech. Birch becomeslighter when press-dried at high temperatures, resulting in a colour comparableto that of traditionally kiln dried wood. Steaming of oak before kiln dryingreduce the presence of brown discoloration, a general darkening of the woodoccurs at temperatures above 50°C.

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