Identification of Tree Species and Extent of Material Deterioration of Wood Components in the Yangjia Courtyard Ancient Building

Abstract

The identification of the tree species and the extent of material deterioration in the wooden components of the walkway of the first courtyard of the ancient Yangjia Courtyard were analyzed in this study using bright-field microscopy, polarized light, fluorescence, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy methods. The results are as follows: (1) samples No. 1 and No. 2, and No. 4, No. 3, and No. 5 taken from the roots of the wooden pillars were identified as lace-bark pine wood (Pinus bungeana), poplar woods (Populus spp.), large-fruited elm wood (Ulmus macrocarpa), and spruce wood (Picea sp.), respectively on the basis of observation of anatomical structural characteristics and analysis of selection principle of “local selection” in ancient buildings. (2) The observation of polarization and fluorescence and the analysis of FTIR spectra showed that the brightness of crystalline cellulose birefringence reduced severely, and analysis of FTIR spectra showed that the absorption peaks representing cellulose and hemicellulose in the lace-bark pine and spruce wooden components disappeared or decreased. However, the polarization and fluorescence and the FTIR spectra of the poplar and elm wooden components showed that the brightness of the crystalline cellulose birefringence and the absorption peaks remained constant, as the controls did. (3) According to the results of the effects of the polarization and fluorescence effects and the FTIR spectra, we concluded that the lace-bark pine and spruce wooden components were severely attacked by brown rot fungi; in contrast, the wooden components of poplar and elm were not attacked by wood decay fungus, but were attacked by insects. These results provide scientific guidance for subsequent preventive conservation such as preservative treatment and insect prevention.