Biological durability and moisture dynamics of Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

ABSTRACT

Numerous non-native tree species are given attention with respect to the reforestation of calamity areas in Europe. Among them, several species may form durable wood which can be used for outdoor applications, but differences in wood durability are expected between original and European growth sites. This study aimed at examining the biological durability against wood-destroying fungi and water permeability of German-grown Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) and Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). The heartwood of both wood species was assigned to durability class 4 (DC 4, less durable) in soil contact and DC 1–4 (very to less durable) against wood-destroying basidiomycetes. However, according to the Meyer-Veltrup model, their material resistance dose was notably higher compared to the reference species Norway spruce (Picea abies), and the resulting service life of above ground structures should be a multiple of the reference.

KEYWORDS:

• Natural durability
• fungal decay
• moisture performance
• permeability
• resistance model
• water uptake

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Torsten Vor for providing the test material and Anne Beiermeister, Martin Block, Paula Köhn, Marie Therese Lenz, Halvar Meinhardt, and Susann Wiltner for their excellent technical support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft [grant number 2219NR372].