The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the usefulness of white oak tree-ring sensitivity to local climatic information. White oak core samples were taken from Christy Woods in Muncie, Indiana. Tree-ring measurements were standardized and summarized using computer programs from the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, Tucson, Arizona.Low mean sensitivity in each series, and a variance component for the total group chronology of 30.23% indicated that annual growth increments of white oak were less than moderately limited by annual mean growing season precipitation and temperature. It may be inferred that a variety of factors have limited growth diminishing the affects of macroclimatic variations on growth at this site.By use of stepwise multiple regression analysis annual growth increment for the mean chronology was positively correlated to mean growing season precipitation. Annual growth increment was negatively correlated to mean growing season temperature. Only 24% of the total variability in the indices was attributable to the dependence on precipitation and temperature.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

2 spread sheets included. Title from title page of PDF (University of Missouri--St. Louis, viewed February 8, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-200). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 185-200). Also available on the Internet.

In this research, flexural properties of mill-run, in-grade white oak and red oak lumber from a single mill and commercially available laminated hardwood composite were evaluated. Structurally graded green (wet) freshly sawn red oak and white oak 5 by 10-cm (2 by 4-in.) nominal lumber as well as glue-laminated hardwood composite billets were tested in bending and their modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) properties were developed. It is well documented that MOR and MOE are two major indicators to evaluate flexural strength of wood lumbers. From these data, summary statistics, design values, and mean separations were calculated and reported. Overall, the red and white oak lumber performed similarly to structural No. 2 grade material. The hardwood composite billets were highly uniform. Each of the three materials demonstrated a reasonably good relationship between MOE and MOR, thereby suggesting that MOE could be used as a selection criterion for strength in a commercial use situation.

A series of anthropogenic disturbance conditions have altered the vegetation of the southern Appalachians during the past 200-years. The objective of this research was to identify the nature and timing of these vegetation changes in order to better understand the underlying causes. A total of 304 land surveys were collected for a small agricultural watershed from early settlement in 1787 through to the present day. Witness corners recorded tree species, shrubs, stumps, snags and non vegetative markers. Types of witness corners were tallied and tested for shifts in frequency across time periods. Tree species were also classified by silvical characteristics including sprouting capability, shade tolerance, and seed type and these groupings were tested for shifts in frequency across time periods. Landform bias of the witness corners was tested using references contained in the surveys. Results showed significant shifts in white oak (Quercus alba L.), chestnut (Castanea dentate Marsh. Borkh.), chestnut oak (Quercus prinus Wild.), black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.), red oak(Quercus rubra L.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), and scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea Muenchh.). The central change was a steady decline in white oak, probably due to the absence of fire and changes in soil properties. Chestnut replaced white oak as the dominant species, but was removed by chestnut blight in the 1930's. Sprouting capability appeared to be the most important silvical characteristic across all species. / Master of Science

A timber frame is a structural building system composed of heavy timber members connected using carpentry-style joinery that may include metal fasteners. A common variant of mortise-and-tenon joints are keyed (or wedged) through-tenon joints. No research on the behavior of wedged joints in timber frames is available. This research provides design knowledge of keyed through-tenon joints from experimental observations and comparisons between mathematical models and experimental measurement. Evaluation of through-tenon keyed mortise and tenon joints was performed by measuring tensile load and stiffness of white oak (Quercus alba) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) joints with four- and 11-inch tenons with one and two keys and comparing these results to mathematical models developed from the National Design Specification of Wood Construction (NDS), General Dowel Equations for Calculating Lateral Connection Values (TR-12), and engineering mechanics. Variables included joint species (white oak or Douglas-fir), protruding tenon length (four or 11 inches), and number of keys (one or two). Joints were tested to ultimate load, then model input specimens were cut from tested joints and additional key stock to generate inputs for joint load predictions that were compared to experimental joint load results for validation. Forty joints were tested with white oak keys and six of these joints were retested with ipe (Tabebuia) keys. Joints with four-inch tenons behaved in a brittle manner with tenon failures. Most joints with 11-inch tenons behaved in a ductile manner with key bending and crushing failures. Joint load and stiffness was similar between white oak and Douglas-fir joints. Joints with 11-inch tenons had greater load and stiffness than with four-inch tenons. Joints with two keys had greater load and stiffness than joints with one key, after normalizing joint load and stiffness responses on key width. Joints retested with ipe keys had greater load than joints originally tested with white oak keys. Tenon relish (row tear-out) failure was predicted for all joints with four-inch tenons. Horizontal key shearing was predicted for all joints with 11-inch tenons. Ratios of predicted ultimate joint load divided by experimental ultimate joints load (calculated/tested) or C/T ratios were used to validate the models chosen for load prediction. C/T ratios showed that ultimate load model predictions over predicted joint load which was due to occurrence of unpredicted tenon failures and simultaneously occurring key failures where models predicted key failures independently. Design safety factors (DSFs) were developed by dividing experimental ultimate joint load by governing allowable (design) load predictions. C/T ratios and DSFs were most similar between white oak and Douglas-fir joints and most different between joints with one and two keys. Alternative design values (ADVs) were developed for comparison to design load predictions. Comparisons between ADVs and DSFs showed that model predictions were most conservative for joints fastened with denser keys than joint members. / Master of Science

Reclamation of surface mined lands is required under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Reforestation of mined lands is challenging due to harsh conditions such as soil compaction, herbaceous competition, and animal browse. We investigated the field performance of black walnut (<i>Juglans nigra</i>), northern red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>), and swamp white oak (<i>Quercus bicolor</i>) planted on two mine reclamation sites and evaluated the interactions of nursery stocktypes (container and bareroot), herbicide application, and tree shelters. Survival averaged 80% across all species and stocktypes after two years. Container stocktype had greater relative height and diameter growth, whereas bareroot had greater total height and diameter growth likely due to initial stocktype differences. Shelter use increased height growth and reduced diameter growth across both stocktypes. Swamp white oak (<i>Q. rubra</i>) had high survival and field performance regardless of silvicultural treatment, whereas the two other species showed strong early regeneration responses to silvicultural treatments. Container seedlings showed promise as an alternative to bareroot seedlings to promote survival and early growth on mine reclamation sites. Future research should be on continued development of container stocktypes to provide an economically feasible mine reclamation option for land managers.

[Compilation CD featuring 1950s-era field recordings] Recently recovered recordings of Haywood County, N.C., musicians made nearly 60 years ago – which an Appalachian music expert describes as “the missing link between old-time string music and bluegrass” – are once again seeing the light of day and finding a new audience thanks to Great Smoky Mountains Association. Four years after the release of their Grammy-nominated “Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music,” GSMA producers follow up now with “Carroll Best and the White Oak String Band: Old-time Bluegrass from the Great Smoky Mountains, 1956 and 1959.” The new collection features more than 30 tracks, including such old-time favorites as “Tennessee Wagoner,” “Arkansas Traveler,” “Old Joe Clark,” “Soldier’s Joy,” as well as such modern tunes as “Banjo Boogie” and “Smoky Mountain Melody.” / https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu_books/1169/thumbnail.jpg

Current surface mine reclamation in Appalachia involves returning the land to approximate original contour by grading the surface and planting grasses and early-successional trees. This results in a greatly altered ecosystem compared to the native forest that was there prior to mining. The reclaimed land is usually degraded economically and environmentally because mine soils are usually less productive than the native soils, and because the mined sites do not provide the same level of ecosystem services. This research addressed constraints to the return of the native ecosystem by assessing how mine spoil properties and treatments affect native tree species and soil microorganisms. A 4x2x3 factorial greenhouse experiment was used to examine the growth of one-year-old Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, and Liriodendron tulipifera as well as herbaceous plant occurrence and microbial biomass and activity. Three mine spoils, brown, weathered sandstone (BWS), white, unweathered sandstone (WUS), and gray, unweathered shale (GUH) were compared with undisturbed forest topsoil (UFT) to determine their suitability for tree growth. Half of each of the four media was inoculated with a 2.5-cm layer of topsoil. BWS was the optimal spoil material for the growth of F. americana, Q. rubra and microbial populations. Foliar nutrient analysis indicated that L. tulipifera was highly dependent on nutrient levels and was unable to grow well on any of the spoil types due to deficiencies. Inoculation with topsoil increased tree growth on the GUH spoil, and increased microbial activity and presence of herbaceous plants across all growth media. The field study was used to determine what spoil properties most influenced three-year-old Quercus alba growth. This information was used to test a mine quality classification model. Northeast facing sites with sandy spoils high in nutrients, moderate in pH, and high in microbial populations were optimal for tree growth. These variables explained 52% of the variation in tree growth. Tree growth was also highly correlated with tree foliar nutrient levels, further suggesting that tree growth was influenced by spoil nutrients. Microbial biomass and dehydrogenase production were also regressed against soil properties and were dependant on a moderate pH, high nitrogen levels, and low salt content. These variables explained 53% of the variability in microbial biomass and 50% of the variability in enzyme production. These studies suggest that tree growth and soil microbial populations are closely linked, and both are affected by mine spoil properties. During mined land reclamation, mine spoils conducive to tree growth should be selected if return of the native ecosystem is the reclamation goal. / Master of Science