TY - JOUR
T1 - Subfossil Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Wood from Northern Finland—Physical, Mechanical, and Chemical Properties and Suitability for Specialty Products
AU - Möttönen, Veikko
AU - Helama, Samuli
AU - Pranovich, Andrey
AU - Korotkova, Ekaterina
AU - Xu, Chunlin
AU - Herva, Hannu
AU - Heräjärvi, Henrik
AU - Mäkinen, Harri
AU - Nöjd, Pekka
AU - Jyske, Tuula
PY - 2022/5
Y1 - 2022/5
N2 - The physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of both stem wood and knot wood were investigated from two subfossil Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trunks retrieved from a lake in Finnish Lapland, dated to 404–486 CE and to 1318–1444 CE. Both the stem wood and the knot wood of the younger trunk had higher moisture content, lower density, and lower strength properties in comparison to the older trunk. The ash content of the stem wood of the younger trunk was lower, but the ash content of the knot wood was higher than that of the older trunk. Due to the degradation that occurred over time, all the values of physical and mechanical properties were lower compared to typical values of recently grown Scots pine wood. The chemical composition of both stem wood samples was close to the composition of the recently grown wood, and the only exception was the small decrease of the cellulose and hemicellulose in the subfossil samples. The bulk extractives were well-preserved, but terpenes and fatty acids underwent transformation, resulting in more stable compounds. The SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) showed pros and cons for the productization of subfossil wood, with the branding value of an ancient material being the potential enabler in developing commercial niche uses.
AB - The physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of both stem wood and knot wood were investigated from two subfossil Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trunks retrieved from a lake in Finnish Lapland, dated to 404–486 CE and to 1318–1444 CE. Both the stem wood and the knot wood of the younger trunk had higher moisture content, lower density, and lower strength properties in comparison to the older trunk. The ash content of the stem wood of the younger trunk was lower, but the ash content of the knot wood was higher than that of the older trunk. Due to the degradation that occurred over time, all the values of physical and mechanical properties were lower compared to typical values of recently grown Scots pine wood. The chemical composition of both stem wood samples was close to the composition of the recently grown wood, and the only exception was the small decrease of the cellulose and hemicellulose in the subfossil samples. The bulk extractives were well-preserved, but terpenes and fatty acids underwent transformation, resulting in more stable compounds. The SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) showed pros and cons for the productization of subfossil wood, with the branding value of an ancient material being the potential enabler in developing commercial niche uses.
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050704
U2 - 10.3390/f13050704
DO - 10.3390/f13050704
M3 - Article
SN - 1999-4907
VL - 13
JO - Forests
JF - Forests
IS - 5
M1 - 704
ER -