In many European countries: Central Europe, Ukraine and Baltic states as well as in the USA, Canada, etc., wild cherry Prunus avium L. is regarded a fast-growing deciduous species, promising for growing in plantations, with great standing crop. In Europe and elsewhere worldwide, dendrologists are engaged in the selection and augment of the most high-quality cherry tree provenances. Wild cherry wood is valued high on the European market owning to its technological and mechanical characteristics: elasticity, not too high hardness, easy processability, good polishing characteristics, easy mordanting and lacquering, similar mechanical properties of the heartwood and sapwood parts of the stem. Besides, wood has an expressive and interesting structure, owning to which it is widely used for the production of furniture, plywood, domestic goods, etc. But there is very little information about the physical, optical and chemical properties of cherry wood.
The aim of the present work was to characterize the physical and optical properties, and the chemical composition of wild cherry wood growing in Latvia. For this purpose, density (ρ0, ρ12) swelling (Kα), shrinkage (Kβ), shear strength perpendicular to grain (τ12), resistance to pressure (δ12), maximal water absorption (Wmax), humidity adsorption (Wh), optical parameters were determined. Chemical compounds (extractives, cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses and ash) of cherry wood were determinated. Sample-trees from Jaunlutriņi, Saldus region and from Šķēde, Talsu region were used for the experiments.
The findings make it possible to forecast that the wood of wild cherry grown in Latvia could be competitive on the world’s timber market.
Keywords: Wild cherry wood, Prunus avium, cherry wood physical properties, cherry wood chemical characteristics
Authors
Gulbis M.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
Pavlovichs G.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
Dolacis J.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
Alksne A.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
Hrols J.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
Zakis G.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
Neiberte B.
Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, Latvia
Daugaviete M.
Latvian State Research Institute “Silava”, Salaspils, Latvia
Login to download the PDF