Potentials of the assessment of the wood quality in standing trees by applying acoustic methods

Abstract

Based on literature sources, the stress wave and ultrasound methods and tools designed for the evaluation of the effects of decay on wood are discussed in this paper. To make a review of the results obtained in numerous studies, the analytic-synthetic method was used and the evaluation of data was conducted. The results revealed high correlations between the measured properties and the actual wood quality. A number of studies show that the acoustic wave velocities correlate well to wood density and other wood properties. Changes in the acoustic velocity and wood density variations caused by decay have also been detected successfully using the ultrasonic tools. This means that wood quality can be assessed in situ and that the methods and devices in question can help us make the right decisions. Still, it must be pointed out that all the methods and devices used are only measuring and quantifying tools, and practical human experience cannot be replaced by any measuring tools.