Biomorphology of Spruce Trees as a Diagnostic Attribute for Non-Destructive Selection of Resonant Wood in a Forest

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Nowadays selection of resonant raw material in forests is not practically carried out; there are no standards and samples for a tree with such timber, and, consequently, rational target use of this unique natural material is not achieved. Thereof a lot of valuable wood remains in forests or is harvested for utilizing as general-purpose forest products or firewood. The research is focused on the studies of interrelation of resonant properties of wood and its biomorphological attributes such as crown diameter and height, trunk habitus, branchless zone extension, etc. materials and methods: Test material for the research of dendroacoustic parameters were cross-section radial cores 4.0 mm in diameter selected with an increment borer at breath height from 16 model trees after cutting them down. Simultaneously, diameters of trunks at relative heights (H) of 0.2Н, 0.5Н and 0.7Н, as well as branchless zone extension and tree crown parameters (its extension, first alive knot fastening height, etc.) were defined. Then, the interrelation was revealed between the biometric data of a tree trunk and average sound velocity measured across the trunk with UK-14П ultrasonic device at different relative heights. Results: The results submitted in this paper present practical value and assess the accuracy of standing spruce wood resonant properties' forecasting based on its ‘wood study portrait’ parameters. conclusions: Acoustic properties of wood depend on biomorphology of a tree as well. The parameters of stem tapering, trunk volume and especially branchless zone extension and crown elevation have, to any extent, the greatest practical value for standing resonant raw material express diagnostics.