Comparative DOC Estimates from the Heartwood and Sapwood of Five Hardwoods

Abstract

Across North America, increasing attention is being paid to the quantity and nature of the volatile organic compounds (VOC) released when lumber is being dried or processed. A number of studies have estimated the VOC emissions from a variety of species and a few researchers have identified and quantified the major chemical compounds released during the drying process for certain species. The previously reported data often show substantial variation. The purpose of this research was to investigate the differences in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) between heartwood and sapwood as potential sources of the variation. The results show that some differences in the DOC exist between the heartwood and the sapwood among the five species tested but these differences do not fully explain the variation seen in VOC estimates.

Keywords:

• Dissolved organic carbon
• Heartwood and sapwood chemicals
• Kiln drying
• Volatile organic chemical emissions

Notes

¹About five pounds per thousand board feet of green lumber.

²A thousand board feet of lumber is equal to 2.36 cubic meters of wood.

Notes: Columns two and three compare green or conditioned heartwood and sapwood within species.

Column four compares combined green heartwood and sapwood versus combined conditioned heartwood and sapwood for significant differences.