[en] Douglas-fir is a relatively recent species in the central European forest landscape. It is not clear how its natural durability is influenced by silviculture. We therefore investigated how the natural durability of the (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) Douglas-fir varies according to tree growth rate; subsequently, the influence of the nature of the wood (juvenile or mature) and radial position was also analyzed. For this purposes, a total of 60 trees grown in Wallonia (Southern Belgium) was felled: these consisted of 6 trees in each of 10 stands where the average tree girth was approximately 150 cm. Since the age of these plantations ranged from 40 to 69 years, the radial tree growth rate ranged between approximately 3 and 7 mm. In all the trees, standardized heartwood test specimens were taken from different radial positions in the butt log. The mass losses caused by the fungi Poria placenta and Coniophora puteana were assessed according to CEN/TS 15083-1 (2005). Poria placenta exhibited a higher decaying efficiency than C. puteana, leading to classify Douglas-fir wood as slightly durable (class 4). No difference was observed between the durability against P. placenta of juvenile and mature wood. Similarly, growth rate seemed to have no direct impact on durability. Durability was, however, significantly correlated with wood density. The effect of site and tree on the natural durability of the wood was also examined. [fr] Le Douglas est une espèce relativement récente dans le paysage forestier de l’Europe centrale. Peu d’études existent concernant l’influence de la sylviculture sur la durabilité naturelle de son bois. Cette recherche visait donc a` déterminer dans quelle mesure sa durabilité naturelle est influencée par la vitesse de croissance des arbres; subséquemment, l’influence de la nature du bois (juvénile ou mature) et de la position radiale ont également été analysées. Dans 10 peuplements situés en Wallonie (sud de la Belgique) et dans lesquels la circonférence moyenne des arbres avoisine 150 cm, six arbres ont été récoltés. L’âge de ces plantations variant de 40 a` 69 ans, le taux de croissance radiale des arbres varie de 3 a` 7 mm. Dans chacun de ces 60 arbres, des éprouvettes normalisées de duramen ont été prélevées a` différentes positions radiales dans la bille de pied. Les pertes de masse causées par les champignons lignivores Poria placenta et Coniophora puteana ont été évaluées conformément a` la CEN/TS 15083-1 (2005). Poria placenta a montré une virulence supérieure a` celle de C. puteana, et a permis de qualifier le bois de douglas comme peu durable (classe 4). Aucune différence n’a été observée entre la durabilité du bois juvénile et du bois mature vis-a-vis de P. placenta. De même, la vitesse de croissance ne semble pas avoir d’impact direct sur la durabilité, qui est cependant significativement corrélée avec la densité du bois. La variation de la durabilité naturelle est également discutée selon la station et l’arbre.
Research center :
Département de l'Etude du Milieu naturel et agricole
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