The chemical composition of poplar wood in relation to the species and age of trees

Abstract

The chemical composition of poplar wood in relation to the species and age of trees. The contents of the following substances: mineral substances, extractives, cellulose, lignin, holocellulose, in wood from fastgrowing poplar species (Populus deltoides x maximowiczii and Populus trichocarpa Torr and A.Gray) aged 2.5, 3, 5 and 7 years were compared to the contents of the abovementioned substances in Populus nigra L. and Populus alba L. wood, aged about 30. According to other publications, the cellulose and lignin contents increase in parallel with the tree's age. On the other hand, the comparison of cellulose content in poplar wood showed that its content did not depend from the species of tree, age and growth environment. Whereas, the content of extractives in poplar wood was dependent from the species of tree, age and growth environment. The lignin content increased slightly as a tree age, but its content in 7-year-old wood was already similar to the level to be found in the wood at the age of about 30 years. About 30-year-old wood of P. nigra and P. alba contained less holocellulose as compared to its contents in P. deltoides x maximowiczii and P. trichocarpa wood, regardless of its age.