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Biological and chemical investigations on American Maple assortments (Acer spp.) in order to assess their quality
Project
Project code: vTI-HTB-08-2.10
Contract period: 01.01.2004
- 31.12.2006
Purpose of research: Basic research
American Maple assortments currently belong to the most important wood species in European furniture industry and cabinet making. In contrast to the general economical development of the timber market, requests for maple timber and veneer have increased considerably. The high demand for maple is mainly caused by its bright color and its fine grain structure which is required for highest decorative uses. Most preferred is the American hard maple (A. saccharum, A. nigrum) with its more homogeneous color as compared to soft maple (A. rubrum, A. saccharinum). The alternative use of the bright colored European maple (A. pseudoplatanus) is restricted because of its low quantitative availability. Due to the increased demand for American maple more and more often mixed assortments of hard- und soft maple occur in the timber market. During processing – particularly during steaming and drying – the various maple species become discolored with a varying extent partly leading to high quality losses. In order to distinguish the different maple assortments, anatomical (macro-scopic and microscopic) studies are carried out. Furthermore, the discoloration during processing (thermal treatment) of the maple assortments are investigated basically.
Section overview
Subjects
- Silviculture
- Forestry