The possible status of wood quality in oak breeding programs (Quercus petraea Liebl and Quercus robur L)

Abstract

Summary — The first part of the paper presents experimental results illustrating the very high level of phenotypic variability of the anatomical and physical characteristics of the wood (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur) (density, shrinkage, color, etc) and technological properties, namely suitability for slicing. Then some studies are reviewed, which show that a large part of the phenotypic variability in the wood of oak is likely to be under genetic control (individual level). In the second part of the paper, 3 kinds of studies which are still needed for optimum selection of wood quality are proposed: 1) defining realistic selection criteria for wood quality; 2) confirming genetic control of wood quality criteria; and 3) defining conditions for performing optimum selection for wood quality. This last point is treated in the context of possible developments in oak silviculture and regeneration.

Long-term changes in wood density and radial growth of Quercus petraea Liebl. in northern France since the middle of the nineteenth century

“…This relationship is often used to predict technological properties of wood (Nepveu 1993). However, in order to use it for the prediction of long-term changes in wood biomass from observed radial growth trends, the long-term stability of this relationship needs to be assessed.…”

Influence du type de station forestière sur les composantes intracernes de la densité du bois du chêne pédonculé (Quercus robur L) dans les chênaies de l'Adour et des coteaux basco-béarnais

“…Néanmoins, sur le plan économique, il apparaît que, pour de nombreuses essences et en particulier pour le chêne, les qualités externe et interne de la matière ligneuse produite prévalent sur la quantité (Polge et Keller, 1973 ;Normandin, 1990 ;Polge, 1990 (Ackermann, 1994b), avait déjà été abordé par de nombreux auteurs (Zahner, 1968 ;Le Tacon et Mormiche, 1974 ;Polge, 1973Polge, , 1975Courtoisier, 1976 ;Pellecuer, 1976 ;Becker, 1979 ;Mourey, 1979 ;Drapier, 1987 ;Klumpers, 1990 (Nepveu, 1992 (Nepveu, 1988(Nepveu, , 1989, 1992 (Polge, 1966 ;Nepveu, 1989 ;Zhang et al, 1994 …”

Application of the GreenLab model to simulate and optimize wood production and tree stability: a theoretical study

“…Nowadays, the economical importance of wood production is enhanced by an increasing demand from South-East Asia (Zhang et al 2006), by increasing custom duties on wood export from Russia (Russia to go… 2007) and by extending fields of applications: paper, pulp, joinery, furniture, biofuel, etc (Nepveu 1993). In terms of environmental protection and resource utilization, wood as a renewable source attracts more and more attention (Wang et al 2004, Forestry commission in England).…”

“…So far, most of the existing wood quality models include one or more of these properties (Nepveu 1993, Denne et al 1994, Houllier et al 1995, Deleuze and Houllier 1997, Woodcock and Shier 2003, Lasserre et al 2005. Jayawickrama (2001) pointed out that among these wood properties, wood stiffness and stability are of major importance in fast growth radiate pines.…”

“…The topological description is so simplified that detailed information of each organ at different positions (weight, dimension) is impossible to obtain. For this work on tree mechanical stability, the final displacement angle is related to morphological characteristics, such as stem diameter and variation of ring width (Nepveu 1993, Denne et al 1994, and tree height (Deleuze andHoullier 1997, Woodcock andShier 2003). These properties are influenced by growth physiological processes (Sievänen et al 2000, Woodcock and Shier 2003.…”