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Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree), a major source of natural rubber, could also be an important source of lumber as senescence occurs. However, latex collection is known to affect Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) wood formation and consequently, wood properties. The impact tapping (cutting made in the bark of the tree for latex harvest) has on the tree and the way the tree responds after tapping is often overlooked. Knowledge on wood properties of tapped rubber trees in Nigeria would enhance its sustainable utilization which is especially important in developing countries where lumber is limited. Variation in specific gravity and shrinkage of rubberwood wood due to tapping duration was examined. Tapping duration had significant effect in specific gravity and longitudinal shrinkage of rubberwood but had no effect on tangential and radial shrinkage. The specific gravity (SG) of rubberwood ranged from 0,55 - 0,59. Longitudinal shrinkage (average 1,42 %) was higher than typically observed for mature wood. Average tangential shrinkage for rubberwood of all the ages was 5,37 % while radial shrinkage ranged from 2,87 % to 3,84 %. decrease in SG observed in trees tapped for 20 years may indicate the initiation of senescence. Tapped rubberwood could be used in areas not exposed to high moisture as well as in other wood composites.

Chryxus garcetebarretti sp. nov. from Paraguay is described, taxonomical notes on C. bahianus Gil-Santana, Costa & Marques, 2007 and C. tomentosus Champion, 1899 are provided; the latter species is recorded from French Guiana for the first time; a redescription of the genus Chryxus Champion, 1899 and an updated key for the genera and species of Chryxinae are presented.

Abstract:Considering the increasing consumption of wood and wood products in Iran and limited domestic sources of wood and shortage of wood raw material in Iran, wood raw material imports is a solution for Iranian developing wood industries' wood procurement.But, wood imports to Iran, always faced with a lot of challenges. The aim of this research is to determine and evaluate the challenges in the way of wood imports to Iran. The research method used in this study is a descriptive-analytic method. The analytic method used in the study to evaluate the challenges is the Fuzzy Delphi Analytical Hierarchy Process (FDAHP). First the findings of previous researches in the field and the literature were studied and doing interviews with industry experts, the challenges in the way of wood imports to Iran were extracted and classified in 5 groups and 35 factors and were evaluated.The results shows that in the first level (groups) the regulation, economic, politic, infrastructure and management groups have the most importance respectively. In second level (challenges), plant protection regulations have the most importance. After that, exchange rate tolerance, oil income, banking support and GDP have most importance respectively.

The decay resistance of palmyra palm wood[1] (Borassus flabellifer), also referred to as sugar palm, was assessed in laboratory soil block tests against Oligoporus placenta, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Irpex lacteus, and Trametes versicolor as well as in a non-sterile soil burial test designed to encourage soft rot attack. Mass losses on pine control blocks were consistent with aggressive decay conditions for all but those exposed to Irpex lacteus, while mass losses for palm wood blocks exposed to the same fungi ranged from 0.46% to 10.6%. The magnitude of mass losses would categorize palm wood as resistant to highly decay resistant, suggesting that these materials might perform well in exterior above ground applications. Mass losses were weakly correlated with density suggesting that selection of denser wood will result in better performing materials in these applications. Field tests to confirm these results are encouraged.

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Oregon extension faced challenges in presenting programs in the wood products industry. Several traditional tactics, revised to suit a new audience, have proved successful: personal coaching, building partnerships, and providing a high level of service. Newer methods, such as database marketing and distance learning, are also proving to be effective. (SK)

Practices for capturing employee creativity present an important opportunity for forest sector firms wishing to increase their innovation efforts. Since employees are the interface with customers and business processes, they are best positioned to have the insights necessary for improvements. Despite this obvious connection, the forest sector literature has only rarely addressed the mechanisms that might be used by forest industry companies to capture and implement employee creativity and ideas for innovation. Accordingly, this exploratory study investigates best practices utilised in four innovative firms. Using a qualitative approach, we find many commonalities among these firms. For example, each company provides autonomy to work teams and is open to employee ideas for improvement. Two of the four companies rely on customers for ideas. Based on these findings, we conclude that competitive advantage in the forest sector of the twenty-first century is also tied to people, in addition to raw materials or equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Forestry Chronicle is the property of Canadian Institute of Forestry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Focuses on a state-level forest sector Web-based communities developed by the Forest Products Extension Specialists at Oregon State University and the Louisiana State University. Concept and characteristics of on-line communities; Foundation elements of on-line communities; Challenges in creating and maintaining on-line communities; Examples of forest-sector Web-based communities in Oregon and Louisiana.