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ABSTRACT:In this study, some of the physical and anatomical properties of Chestnut Blight Diseased (CBD) wood were investigated, and the study also included observations using Raman spectroscopy. The objective of these investigations was to determine the extent of the damage that is done to the wood of the diseased chestnut trees, which must be removed from the forest and used in the manufacture of industrial products. It was indicated that most of the adverse effects of the disease were in the vascular cambium. There was a clear indication of deterioration of the wood in the last growth ring next to vascular cambium. In the diseased secondary xylem region next to vascular cambium; vessel diameter, vessel frequency and vessel element length had a decrease, and vessel and other cells were irregular compared to healthy wood. Spores were detected and identified as Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill). Annual ring properties (annual growth ring width, latewood percentage, etc.) were similar in diseased wood compared to healthy wood. The Raman spectroscopy results showed no significant changes in the structure of the cell wall or its components. After removing the diseased parts, unlimited usage of formerly wood is possible. Heat treatment of the wood is suggested before use in the interest of sanitation and dimensional stability. PROPRIEDADES FÍSICAS E MORFOLÓGICAS E ESPECTROSCOPIA RAMAN DE MADEIRA DE CASTANEA SATIVA MILL. AFETADA PELO CANCRO DO CASTANHEIRORESUMO: Neste estudo, algumas das propriedades físicas e anatômicas de madeira afetada pelo cancro do castanheiro (CBD) foram investigadas, e o estudo também incluiu observações usando espectroscopia Raman. O objetivo destas investigações foi determinar a dimensão do dano que é causado na madeira dos castanheiros doentes, que devem ser removidos da floresta e utilizados na fabricação de produtos industriais. Foi avaliado que a maioria dos efeitos adversos da doença esta localizado no câmbio vascular. Há uma clara indicação de deterioração da madeira no último anel de crescimento junto ao câmbio vascular. Na região doente do xilema secundário ao lado do câmbio vascular o diâmetro, frequência e comprimento do vaso eram menores, e os vasos e outras células eram irregulares comparados à madeira saudável. Esporos foram detectados e identificados como Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill). Propriedades dos anéis anuais (largura de anéis de crescimento anual, porcentagem de lenho tardio, etc.) foram similares em madeira doente e madeira saudável. O resultado da espectroscopia Raman não mostrou mudança significativa na estrutura da parede celular ou dos seus componentes. Depois de retirar as partes doentes, o uso ilimitado da madeira é possível. Tratamento térmico da madeira é sugerido antes da utilização para fins de saneamento e estabilidade dimensional.

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, Justyna A Nowakowska (3) Pathogen diseases are increasingly threatening forest trees under the current climate change, causing a remarkable decrease in the stability of forest ecosystems. Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) dieback due to Hymenoscyphus fraxineus has been noted in Poland since 1992 and has spread over many European countries. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that ash trees affected by dieback could exhibit a reduced vessel size and density along the trunk, as well as a lowered width of annual wood rings, leading to the weakening of water transport towards the crown. Dead and dying ash trees were sampled in a forest district severely affected by ash decline in southern Poland. Wood samples were collected at different height along the trunk and several wood anatomical characteristics of annual tree rings over the period 2002-2011 were examined. Dead trees showed a stronger reduction in radial growth than dying trees over the period considered. Moreover, the diameter of vessels increased from the crown to the base in both dead and dying trees, while the density decreased. Significant differences between dead and dying trees were detected in size and density of vessels in the period analyzed, as well as in the width of annual rings. DNA extracted from wood samples was analyzed using SSR markers and the main genetic parameters of dead and dying trees were estimated, finding similar levels of polymorphism and only slight non-significant differences between the two health groups. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that pathogens could disrupt the hormonal control of wood formation by interfering with the polar auxin transport, progressively leading to the death of ash trees.

Pinus sylvestris L. subsp. hamata (Steven) Fomin var. compacta Tosun is quite different from the common form of P. sylvestris in its external morphology. The size of the needles, cones and seeds of the former are significantly smaller than those of the latter. Besides, this variety branches out beginning from the ground level, and has very dense branches and needles. The present study describes the anatomical properties of the wood of P. sylvestris var. compacta and compares them with typical P. sylvestris. The woods of these taxa have the same qualitative anatomical features, but most of the quantitative anatomical characteristics show significant differences: variety compacta has lower values than common P. sylvestris in tracheid length and diameter, ray height and bordered pit diameter.