Canadian Forest Service Publications

Radial distribution of thujaplicins in old growth and second growth western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) 1988. Nault, J.R. Wood Science and Technology 22(1): 73-80.

Year: 1988

Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre

Catalog ID: 30963

Language: English

Availability: Not available through the CFS (click for more information).

Available from the Journal's Web site.
DOI: 10.1007/BF00353230

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Abstract

Radial distribution of thujaplicins in western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) trees of varying ages was studied in order to assess relative decay resistance of their wood. Samples were extracted with ethanol: benzene (1: 2), and the extractives were analyzed for thujaplicin codtent by a new method utilizing capillary gas chromatography of their methylated derivatives. The combined concentration of thujic acid and methyl thujate was also determined for each sample. Distribution of extractives, thujaplicins and thujic acid, generally increased from pith to outside heartwood, then decreased in the sapwood. Maximum extractive and thujaplicin contents were also related to tree age. This suggests that products made from the wood of younger trees will be less resistant to decay than similar products made from the wood of old trees.