Effects of Local Ecological Conditions on Some Anatomical Features of Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa Gaertn. subsp. barbata (C.A. Mey.) Yalt.) Wood.

Abstract

Forest trees can show different wood characteristics according to different site conditions. The changing wood properties are the quality of the wood material, and the quality determines the suitability of the wood material for a particular use place. Knowing the effect of local ecological conditions on wood properties in a growing environment can give an idea of which species can be grown in which site area. In this study, we investigated the variation of some anatomical properties of black alder wood which may be an alternative to other species in wood industry. For this purpose, 14 sample areas were taken from Arhavi-Hopa sub-region of Rize Kaçkar Mountains Site Region according to the sampling method selected from three different altitude zones (0-400 m, 401-800 m and 801-1200 m). Sample areas and sample trees have been selected among pure black alder stands at different stands that have similar aspects (north aspect). In the sample areas, one tree with dominant height was cut down and soil profiles were opened. Soil species were determined by taking samples of soil from the soil according to their depth grades. The available water capacity was calculated, soil reaction and organic matter amounts have been identified. On wood samples taken from cut trees; number of vessels, tangential diameter of vessel element, radial diameter of vessel element, vessel element length, ray length, ray width, number of rays in 1 mm, fiber length, fiber width, fiber lumen width) and fiber wall thickness were determined. The changes of the anatomical characteristics of black alder wood according to the altitude zones were tested by analysis of variance.

Keywords: Ecological wood anatomy, Altitude, Moist environment, Soil properties.