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A Xylarium, like the one in Kourou in French Guiana, is a unique collection of wood specimens assembled over many years that represents high interspecific diversity. In addition to the standard use of such collections for systematic anatomy, a technological database can be created using supplementary specimens taken from the same tree as the reference specimens. Physical, mechanical and durability tests were performed on wood planks measuring 10 × 60 × 100 mm3 (L is the longest direction, width and thickness are not always perfectly radial or tangential, just transverse) representing 445 woody species belonging to 63 families found in French Guiana. Wood densities ranged from 250 to 1,300 kg/m3, with an average of 786 kg/m3. The other properties also covered a wide range of values, as did the longitudinal modulus of elasticity (ranging from 0.6 to 37 GPa), as samples from lianas and palm stipes from very stiff woods were also tested. The correlations between the different parameters measured on the 445 species tested allowed us to identify some relationships between wood properties, e.g.: (i) light colored woods are less prone to shrinkage, but more prone to rot (the opposite is true for red woods); (ii) woods with a low damping coefficient are generally darker, redder, denser, and more resistant to rot. This database cannot be used to characterize a particular species as only one specimen is available for each species, but it can be used to study the relationships between properties and easily measured descriptors related to wood structure (e.g. density, modulus) or wood chemistry (e.g. color, durability). Finally, this database provides the foundation for future bigger databases including many more specimens of each species that will be useful to search for particular properties in certain families or genera, for example, high natural durability despite rather low wood density, or low damping along with a high specific modulus.

Les bois de Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus étudiés sont issus de deux provenances du Nord-Ouest algérien aux conditions climatiques et édaphiques différentes (régions de Sidi Bel Abbès et de Tiaret). Les extractibles et les polyphénols totaux du duramen ont été quantifiés et caractérisés. La durabilité naturelle du duramen a été évaluée vis-à-vis de deux champignons de pourriture brune (Rhodonia placenta et Coniophora puteana) et de termites (Reticulitermes flavipes). Les taux d’extractibles les plus élevés sont ceux obtenus pour les bois de Sidi Bel Abbès. L’extraction au mélange toluène-éthanol a permis d’obtenir des taux plus élevés que l’extraction à l’eau, respectivement 14,17 % et 1,35 % pour les bois de Sidi Bel Abbès contre 9,84 % et 1,19 % pour ceux de Tiaret. Les analyses par chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de masse (GC/MS) montrent que les familles chimiques majoritairement identifiées dans les extraits aqueux sont les sesquiterpénoïdes, les acides gras et les stérols. Dans les extraits au toluène-éthanol, les sesquiterpènes et les sesquiterpénoïdes sont les composés majeurs. La composition en sesquiterpènes et sesquiterpénoïdes est différente en fonction de la provenance des bois, mais reste très similaire quantitativement. La teneur en polyphénols totaux des extraits au méthanol de la provenance Sidi Bel Abbès est supérieure à celle de Tiaret. Aucune différence significative n’est observée entre les deux provenances pour la durabilité naturelle vis-à-vis de C. puteana. En revanche, la résistance à R. placenta est significativement plus élevée pour la provenance Sidi Bel Abbès. Pour les deux provenances, le bois de J. oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus est très durable vis-à-vis des champignons de pourriture. Il est aussi répulsif et résistant aux attaques de termites. Une analyse ciblée des relations entre la composition chimique et la durabilité naturelle permettra de mettre en évidence la nature du ou des constituants responsables de la durabilité́ naturelle du bois de J. oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus, tant vis-à-vis des champignons lignivores que des termites.

Plywood made of poplar are limited to indoor usages since poplar exhibits a rather low natural durability. Recently, wood heat treatments have been applied to improve properties such as decay susceptibility and dimensional stability. This study examines the potential of exposing poplar plywood to heat treatment to extend the potential of applications of this engineered wood product to outdoor end uses, and new markets accordingly. Plywood panels were glued with two different adhesive formulations based on the same melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin to compare their respective ability to resist to the heat treatment. These different plywoods were thermally modified in saturated steam conditions at 215 °C for 2 hours following the ThermoWood® process, up to reach 14% in mass loss. The durability improvement brought by the heat treatment was assessed in order to evaluate any possible outdoor uses for such plywood. After all the conducted analyses, the potential to use heat treated poplar plywoods in humid interior and protected exterior service conditions was confirmed. ANR-10-EQPX-16 XYLOFOREST laboratoire Mixte Public/privé qui associe les Arts et Métiers (campus de Cluny) et l’entreprise Brugère

Balanites aegyptiaca est une espèce caractéristique et emblématique des zones sèches d’Afrique et d’Asie. Elle revêt une grande importance socio-économique dans toute sa zone naturelle de répartition du fait de ses multiples usages. Toutefois, les propriétés technologiques de son bois sont mal connues, d’où des utilisations parfois inappropriées mais qui pourraient être élargies. Afin de mieux adapter ses applications à ses caractéristiques, nous avons déterminé les indicateurs de stabilité physique (masse volumique, infradensité, retrait radial total, retrait tangentiel total, retrait volumique total et point de saturation des fibres) et les indicateurs de comportement mécanique (module d’élasticité longitudinal, contrainte de rupture en flexion et compression) de ce bois. Quatre-vingt-treize éprouvettes prélevées dans 13 arbres provenant des zones sahélienne et soudanienne tchadiennes, et de la zone sahélienne sénégalaise ont été testées. Les résultats obtenus montrent que, pour les trois provenances, le bois de B. aegyptiaca est mi-lourd (797 kg/m3) avec une stabilité dimensionnelle moyenne : l’anisotropie de retrait est supérieure à 2 (2,2), le retrait radial total et le retrait tangentiel total sont moyens, respectivement égaux à 4 % et 8,5 %. Ses caractéristiques mécaniques sont moyennes (contraintes de rupture en compression et flexion statique respectivement égales à 49,4 MPa et 104,5 MPa) à faible (module d’élasticité longitudinal de 10 473 MPa). Une comparaison des résultats obtenus en fonction des zones de prélèvement a mis en évidence des tendances variables selon les caractéristiques étudiées. Ces variations entre les trois provenances restent cependant limitées. Les résultats de l’étude montrent que le bois de B. aegyptiaca pourrait être utilisé de façon appropriée sous forme de matériau pour une plus large gamme d’emplois, sous réserve de la mise en place d’une gestion adaptée permettant sa restauration par plantation.

Faidherbia albida is a typical emblematic species of African dryland areas. In Chad, it is used for many purposes, but very little is known about the technological properties of its wood, which sometimes leads to inappropriate uses. This work consisted to study the physical and mechanical properties of this wood, collected in the Sahelian and Sudanian chadian zone. As well as the impact study of the sampling areas of these properties. The result obtained shows that, the density, infradensity; modulus of elasticity, compression strength were significantly higher in the Sahelian zone than in the Sudanian zone, i.e. 508 and 409 kg·m−3; 5555 and 23.7 MPa, compared to 444 and 359 kg·m−3; 4150 and 19.6 MPa. The total tangential shrinkage, total volumetric shrinkage, fibre saturation point; static bending strength were significantly lower in wood from the Sahelian zone compared to the Sudanian zone, i.e. 4.6%, 7.7%, 23.7%; 42.5 MPa, compared to 6.6%, 9.5%, 28.9%; 52.6 MPa. The total radial shrinkage values obtained were not significantly different between the two provenances (mean: 3.1%).

Grenadilla wood (Dalbergia melanoxylon Guill. & Perr.) is a hardwood species found in Tanzania, Mozambique, and other countries in the tropical part of Africa, especially in the Eastern-Central region. Thanks to its high density and good hygroscopic stability, it is used in the making of various musical instruments and fine furniture. Due to the scarcity of published data on this wood species, more studies on its properties are needed to improve its processing and use, and even to search for sustainable alternative materials as its trade is increasingly limited by new regulations. This work is focused on the hygromechanical properties, which hold an important role in the applications of this wood: diffusion coefficients and adsorption–desorption curve (both measured at $$T = 20\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$ ), swelling–shrinkage coefficients and full orthotropic elastic constants using an ultrasonic method. Results show that grenadilla wood possesses small water diffusion coefficients (from $$1.54\pm 0.49\times 10^{-7}\,\hbox {cm}^2/\hbox {s}$$ in T direction to $$4.58\pm 0.84\times 10^{-7}\,\hbox {cm}^{2}/\hbox {s}$$ in L direction), which is probably related to its high density ( $$1250.0\pm 26.2\,\hbox {kg}/\hbox {m}^{2}$$ ); unique equilibrium moisture content (sorption) curve with a lower fiber saturation point ( $$0.173\pm 0.003$$ ); smaller swelling–shrinkage coefficients ( $$0.20\pm 0.03$$ and $$0.32\pm 0.05$$ in T and R directions, respectively); and elastic constants lower in the longitudinal direction ( $$15.56\pm 1.79$$ GPa) and higher in the transverse ones ( $$5.10\pm 0.46$$ GPa and $$4.05\pm 0.35$$ GPa in R and T directions, respectively) than what could be expected with a standard model based on the density only. Several explanations were described here, from the effects of a high extractive content to the possibility of a high microfibril and/or fiber angle.

Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) is often used to perform high throughput phenotyping on thousands of genotypes using prediction models with high variability. A study was therefore undertaken to analyze the potential of multispecies, multisite and multi-age NIR calibration models of seven chemical properties of eucalyptus wood. The models are based on 358 samples selected among more than 5000 samples that belong to five eucalypt species including hybrids. The samples were collected from trees aged 2-35 originating from four different countries. Spectra were measured on non-extracted wood powders using an FT-NIR spectrometer. Models were established in the spectral range of 9090-4040 cm−1 using the PLS regression method, tested by repeated cross-validation and validated on independent test sets. The results showed that the robust models for total extractives (R2P = 0.91, RMSEP = 1.20%, RPD = 3.3) and KL (R2P = 0.89, RMSEP = 1.21%, RPD = 3.0) provided good predictions. These two properties were the best predicted, followed by the S/G ratio (R2P = 0.84, RMSEP = 0.19, RPD = 2.5) and ASL content (R2P = 0.81, RMSEP of 0.54, RPD = 2.3). For holocellulose, alphacellulose, and hemicelluloses contents, the models provided approximate predictions. The prediction errors were always less than twice of the laboratory errors except for ASL and S/G ratio. For total extractives and ASL, β-coefficients of models were of approximately the same magnitude throughout the 9000-4000 cm−1 region while for the five other properties, they were higher in the 7500-4000 cm−1 region. Models were also established in narrower NIR regions, and the quality of models obtained was about the same as that of the models based in the 9090-4000 cm−1 wide range. These established robust models can be used to make predictions based on samples of high variability.

International audience; Trees can modify their wood structure in response to changes in mechanical, hydraulic and storage demands during their life-cycles. Thus, examining radial variations in wood traits is important to expand our knowledge of tree functioning and species ecological strategies. Yet, several aspects of radial changes in wood functional traits are still poorly understood, especially in angiosperm trees from tropical humid forests. Here, we examined radial shifts in wood traits in trunks of tropical forest species and explored their potential ecological implications. We first examined radial variations in wood specific gravity (WSG). Then, we asked what anatomical traits drove radial variations in WSG, and whether WSG, vessel fraction and specific hydraulic conductivity vary independently from each other along the radius gradients. We measured WSG and eight wood anatomical traits, at different radial positions along the trunks, in 19 tree species with contrasting shade-tolerance from a lowland tropical forest in eastern Amazonia. Most species had significant radials shifts in WSG. Positive radial gradients in WSG (i.e., increments from pith to bark) were common among shade-intolerant species and were explained by different combinations of fiber and parenchyma traits, while negative radial shifts in WSG (e.g., decreases towards the bark) were present in shade-tolerants, but were generally weakly related to anatomical traits. We also found that, in general, WSG was unrelated to vessel fraction and specific hydraulic conductivity in any radial position. This study illustrates the contrasting radial variations in wood functional traits that occur in tree species from a humid lowland tropical forest. In particular, our results provide valuable insights into the anatomical traits driving WSG variations during tree development. These insights are important to expand our knowledge on tree ecological strategies by providing evidence on how wood allocation varies as trees grow, which in turn can be useful in studying trait-demography associations, and in estimating tree above-ground biomass.

International audience; In Brazil, most Eucalyptus plantations are located in regions experiencing periods of water shortage, where fertilizers such as potassium (K) are intensively used to achieve high productivity. Recently, sodium (Na) has also been considered a potential nutrient in K-deficient soils. K and Na supply can increase water stress in Eucalyptus grandis trees, which could negatively impact forest productivity over prolonged droughts. Wood properties are determinants of the quality and yield of products. They are important factors to consider when measuring the impacts of silvicultural practices and water deficit on forest productivity. However, alterations in wood properties due to interactions between K/Na fertilization, water availability, and stand age are not well documented.Through annual sampling of E. grandis trees throughout a complete rotation (6 years) in Brazil, we evaluated the interactive effects of K/Na fertilization, water availability, and stand age on stem volume, sapwood/heartwood ratio, wood density, fiber, and vessel features. We also evaluated the relationships between growth rate, wood density, and fiber and vessel features. The split-plot experimental design consisted of two water supply regimes (37% throughfall reduction versus undisturbed throughfall) and three fertilization regimes (K, Na, and control).Until six years of age, K and Na fertilization increased stem volume by 3 and 2-fold, respectively, and only K-fertilized trees affected stem volume by 37% throughfall reduction. Both K and Na detrimentally affected wood density and beneficially affected fiber length. The sapwood/heartwood ratio was highly and negatively related to the growth rate of trees. Wall thickness was not affected by either K or Na. As expected, K and Na affected vessel size due to an increase in basal area growth. However, the effects of Na were more pronounced than those of K. Significant interactions between fertilization and water availability suggest that, under water deficit, wood density will not be affected by K fertilization. In contrast, the effect of Na and control treatments were invariable regardless of water availability.The effects of fertilization on wood properties changed over time, with non-significant effects in the first year and stronger effects from two years of age of trees. The variations in wood density were strongly related to variations in the fiber wall thickness. High increases in basal area growth promoted by K and Na were not related to significant decreases in wood density, but they were related to increases in fiber length. These findings highlight the significant effects of K addition on stem volume without significant losses in wood quality, even under water stress over a complete rotation. The negative impacts observed on wood density and lower productivity in commercial E. grandis plantations with the use of Na as a substitute for K should be considered.

Vingt et un chênes pubescents, abattus dans l'Eure, ont été sciés en plots de 2 m et de 27 mm d'épaisseur. Une partie a été séchée à la scierie dans un séchoir industriel Cathild® de 30 m3 . Une autre partie a été séparée en 2 lots de 3 m 3 au Cirad ; le 1er lot séché selon la table définie par le Cirad, l'autre lot, selon la table Cathild®. L'analyse du Cirad montre que les déformations et défauts sont moins importants avec leur table, mais que la durée de séchage augmente en contrepartie (5 à 7 jours supplémentaires dans l'étude). Néanmoins, cette table spécifique reste compatible avec le séchage des autres chênes.

Au Bénin, les déchets issus de la transformation du bois sont très insuffisamment valorisés dans une perspective de réutilisation par l’industrie du bois. Les technologies de transformation de ces produits connexes, économiquement accessibles aux populations des pays en développement, constituent un domaine très peu abordé dans la littérature internationale. Dans le présent travail, un matériau constitué d’un mélange de sciure de bois de teck et de pâte de polystyrène recyclés, suivant une technologie simple à mettre en œuvre et de type low-tech, a été caractérisé. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que les propriétés du composite varient significativement avec la granulométrie de la sciure utilisée. La masse volumique apparente du matériau est comprise entre 686 à 826 kg/m3, son taux d’absorption d’eau est inférieur à 15 % et son taux de gonflement en épaisseur est inférieur à 5 % après 24 heures d’immersion. Une corrélation élevée a été observée entre ses propriétés physiques et sa porosité qui varie de 34 et 43 % suivant la granulométrie des sciures de bois utilisées. Le composite présente un module d’élasticité en traction compris entre 582 à 1 057 MPa, une résistance en traction comprise entre 2 et 3 MPa et un coefficient de Poisson variant de 0,14 à 0,24. En compression, son module d’élasticité varie entre 270 à 470 MPa et sa résistance entre 6 à 9 MPa. Une mise en œuvre du composite ainsi élaboré peut être envisagée en substitution du bois pour des éléments faiblement chargés comme des pièces de coffrage de construction légère.

Furfural (F) cannot be easily polymerized like furfuryl alcohol, but it is an aldehyde that can react with urea (U) to make a polymeric network. The possibility of preparing F/U polymer along with an acidic catalyzer (maleic anhydride; M) was evaluated as a means to improve some selected properties of birch (Betula pendula) wood. The F+U/M resin was introduced into the wood with a double treatment technology. The first step involved dilution of F in water and methanol, and the second step was immersion in a U/M aqueous solution. The color of treated wood was darkened after resin curing from brown to a spectrum of black depending on the amount of loaded resin. The 60 to 80% of materials were converted to a non-leachable polymer based on the different formulations. The water absorption and volumetric swelling of the treated samples decreased with an increase in weight percent gain (WPG). The analysis of mechanical strength showed that treatment with F + U/M reduced to some extent the hardness and the impact bending of wood, while modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and compression parallel to the grain with WPG were increased. The exposure of the samples to the accelerated weathering showed noticeable changes in color and roughness.

The torrefaction (mild pyrolysis) process modifies biomass chemical and physical properties and is applied as a thermochemical route to upgrade solid fuel. In this work, the catalytic effect of thermo-acoustic on oxidizing woody torrefaction is assessed. The combined effect of two acoustic frequencies (1411, 2696 Hz) and three temperatures (230, 250, and 290 &deg, C) was evaluated through weight loss and its deviation curves, calculated torrefaction severity index (TSI), as well as proximate, calorific, and compression strength analysis of Eucalyptus grandis. A new index to account for the catalytic effects on torrefaction (TCEI) was introduced, providing the quantitative analysis of acoustic frequencies influence. A two-step consecutive reaction numerical model allowed the thermo-acoustic experiment evaluation. For instance, the thermogravimetric profiles revealed that the acoustic field has a catalytic effect on wood torrefaction and enhances the biomass oxidation process for severe treatments. The kinetic simulation of the acoustic coupling resulted in faster conversion rates for the solid pseudo-components showing the boosting effect of acoustic frequencies in anticipating hemicellulose decomposition and enhancing second step oxidizing reaction.

The properties of wood charcoal layers have an effect on the performance of small-scale blast furnaces. In order to characterize the mechanical behavior of a fixed bed of eucalyptus charcoal, a specific uniaxial compression test was designed and used with charcoal layers of different characteristics. This layer test has the potential to be standardized, and it made it possible to consider the bulk properties of randomly layout charcoal pieces, which was better adapted than single specimen tests in the fiber direction. A total of eight charcoal layers were prepared with two carbonization temperatures (500 °C and 900 °C), two granularities (10 mm and 20 mm), and two different testing temperatures (20 °C and 300 °C). Characteristic parameters of the compression tests were then determined as the particle size distribution, the mechanical energy, and the mean power. The charcoal produced at 900 °C and with a granularity of 20 mm was more resistant to breakage than the others were, and a high quantity of large particles remained after the tests. Significant correlations existed between the carbonization temperature, granularity, and mechanical power of the compression test. The mechanical power was the main parameter that determined the resistance to breakage of a charcoal bed in compression.

International audience; The selection of ideotypes combining high biomass production, high water use efficiency (WUE) and adequate wood properties is a major challenge in improving forest trees for industrial plantations. This issue was addressed in a field experiment evaluating 1130 clones of Eucalyptus urophylla * Eucalyptus grandis. Genomic selection using 3303 SNPs and the GBLUP model was carried out at age 55 months to select genitors and clones for stem volume (V55), WUE (using stable carbon isotope composition in stemwood, δ13C as a proxy, transformed into intrinsic WUE, Wi), as well as lignin (KL) and holocellulose (HCEL) contents. The variance components were mainly additive for δ13C(Wi), KL and HCEL, while they were highly non-additive for V55 (the ratio of dominance to additive variance was 130%). The narrow sense heritability was higher for Wi (h2 = 0.704) than for volume and wood traits (

This study set out to determine which environmental factors of growth and silvicultural practices can affect the properties of Eucalyptus robusta coppice wood and also to study variability in those properties depending on the factors. Hundred and thirty-five coppice logs aged 2 to 10 years were collected from five zones in the Highlands of Madagascar. Wood density at 12% moisture content was measured by X-ray microdensitometry. Chemical properties, such as the total extractives, Klason lignin and holocellulose contents were predicted using near infrared spectrometry prediction models. The results significantly showed (p-value

Acacia auriculiformis is increasingly used as timber in Benin, while little is known about its wood characteristics and the factors affecting such characteristics in the country. The determination of these characteristics is necessary for understanding the functioning of this species and its uses. The aim of this study was to evaluate anatomical and physico-mechanical properties of Acacia auriculiformis in relation to age and soil type in Benin, West Africa. Nine different age plantations (young 6–7 years old, middle-aged 9–11 years old, aged 15–29 years old) were sampled on three soil types (ferruginous, sandy and vertisol). In total, 30 trees were felled for determination of vessel diameter and vessel frequency from pith to bark, basic density, density at 12% moisture content, tangential and radial shrinkages, fiber saturation point, anisotropy of shrinkage, modulus of elasticity, compression strength, and bending strength. Age is the main factor influencing the physico-mechanical characteristics of the species and Acacia auriculiformis could be exploited at 15 years old for use as timber. Still, a high deformation ratio is noted on ferruginous soil. Besides, wood density is negatively correlated with anisotropy of shrinkage, which is an asset for the use of high density wood for structures. In contrast, the parameters of the vessels are weakly correlated with wood density. Further studies are necessary to understand the densification process of Acacia auriculiformis wood in order to optimize the production of high-density wood of the species, which is important for the use of wood as timber.

National audience

International audience; To maximize utilization of our forest resources, detailed knowledge of wood property variation and the impacts this has on end-product performance is required at multiple scales (within and among trees, regionally). As many wood properties are difficult and time-consuming to measure our knowledge regarding their variation is often inadequate as is our understanding of their responses to genetic and silvicultural manipulation. The emergence of many non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methodologies offers the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of the forest resource; however, it is critical to recognize that any technique has its limitations and it is important to select the appropriate technique for a given application. In this review, we will discuss the following technologies for assessing wood properties both in the field: acoustics, Pilodyn, Resistograph and Rigidimeter and the lab: computer tomography (CT) scanning, DiscBot, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, radial sample acoustics and SilviScan. We will discuss these techniques, explore their utilization, and list applications that best suit each methodology. As an end goal, NDE technologies will help researchers worldwide characterize wood properties, develop accurate models for prediction, and utilize field equipment that can validate the predictions. The continued advancement of NDE technologies will also allow researchers to better understand the impact on wood properties on product performance.

Wood modification treatments based on lactic acid oligomers (OLA) and monomers (LA) enhance beech dimensional stability (up to 70%) and biological resistance (less than 3% weight loss according to EN113). Chestnut wood tannins natural biological activity might improve the modified wood durability with milder curing conditions. Treatment consisted of the impregnation of monomers or oligomers mixtures followed by curing (140 °C/160 °C for 48h). Tannins addition is almost inconsequential with oligomeric-based treatment but improved the monomeric-based treatment. In this case, modified wood biological resistance and product persistence were increased. OLA impregnated wood cured at 160 °C was always the best performing treatment regarding dimensional stability and durability, but the addition of tannins in LA systems conferred promising properties to wood allowing simplification of the modification process.

he main limiting factor for the use of solid wood lies in its highly hydrophilic character which is associated with the loss of its properties after moisture uptake. Therefore for limiting the negative impact of moisture in wooden structures, numerous research have been carried out in order to (i) protect the surface of wood by the addition of varied varnish or protections or to (ii) modify the wooden surfaces structure by the mean of different technologies such as thermal treatments.The former present the disadvantage to protect the wood surfaces for a limited period of time while the later present the disadvantage to reduce the mechanical properties.The aim was investigate how to reduce the hydrophilic character of wood without reducing physical and/ mechanical properties.We use dynamic fluorination using F-2 gas applied to wood samples (Douglas and silver fir) for reducing the hydrophilic character.The covalent grafting of fluorine atoms on a wood surface was highlighted by Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy and F-19 solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. The wood samples acquire a hydrophobic character comparable to that of Polytetrafluoroethylene, thanks to fluorination. The high durability of this treatment was also determined by aging tests under ambient atmosphere and UV irradiation. Moreover, this treatment gives a surface with a hydrophobic character without major structural (morphology, density and colour) and mechanical modifications.Maintaining those properties after fluorination, a dried gas/solid treatment without the use of toxic solvents and high temperatures seems to show a remarkable advantage over other physical chemical wood treatments.

Eucalyptus is the second major wood species used for Tunisian reforestation since 1957, and they are found around the country in several arboretums. Eucalyptus may be an interesting raw material to the Tunisian wood industry. The main obstacle to its industrial exploitation is its natural propensity to incur internal checking, collapse and a high transverse shrinkage during industrial drying process. This study focused on the physical and mechanical properties of reforested Eucalytus saligna and Eucalyptus camaldulensis from the north west of Tunisia. Moisture content, densities, shrinkages and mechanical properties were determined. Then, the impact of pre-steaming on the physical properties of modified wood was investigated. The results showed that both Eucalyptus possess low dimensional stability and mechanical properties compared to other Eucalyptusspecies from Tunisia, Morocco, Australia and Brazil. These wood characteristics were mainly due to their low density and sensitivity to collapse reactions, occurred during drying. Pre-steaming process reduced Eucalyptswood moisture content, changing the wood permeability and resulting in a residual collapse recovery and a decrease in wood shrinkage. Pre-steaming treated E. camaldulensis and E. saligna wood could be valuable as furniture and/or structural material without being submitted to moisture content variation.

Wood ensures the mechanical stability of the trunk and branches. Its formation is impacted by windy environments: living cells sense mechanical strains and modify the formation of wood accordingly in terms of quantity and quality: these biological responses are called “Thigmomorphogenesis”. We bent young poplars three times a day, five days per week during six months. When a stem is bent, wood endures compressive and/or tensile stresses. Our objective is to determine the impact of these growing conditions on the mechanical properties of wood.

Background and Aims Trees constantly experience wind, perceive resulting mechanical cues, and modify their growth and development accordingly. Previous studies have demonstrated that multiple bending treatments trigger ovalization of the stem and the formation of flexure wood in gymnosperms, but ovalization and flexure wood have rarely been studied in angiosperms, and none of the experiments conducted so far has used multidirectional bending treatments at controlled intensities. Assuming that bending involves tensile and compressive strain, we hypothesized that different local strains may generate specific growth and wood differentiation responses.• Methods Basal parts of young poplar stems were subjected to multiple transient controlled unidirectional bending treatments, which enabled a distinction to be made between the wood formed under tensile or compressive flexural strains. Local analyses of poplar stem responses were performed at growth, anatomical, biochemical and molecular levels. Moreover local wood properties were investigated.• Key Results Treated poplar stems developed significant cross-sectional ovalization. At the tissue level, some aspects of wood differentiation were similarly modulated in the compressed and stretched zones (vessel frequency and diameter of fibres without a G-layer), whereas other anatomical traits (vessel diameter, G-layer formation, diameter of fibres with a G-layer and microfibril angle) and the expression of fasciclin-encoding genes were differentially modulated in the two zones. Wood showed differential properties too.• Conclusions We propose new terminologies to distinguish the ‘flexure wood’ produced in response to multiple bidirectional bending treatments from wood produced under transient tensile strain (tensile flexure wood; TFW) or under transient compressive strain (compressive flexure wood; CFW). By highlighting similarities and differences between tension wood and TFW and by demonstrating that plants could have the ability to discriminate positive strains from negative strains, this work provides new insight into the mechanisms of mechanosensitivity in plants.

Angélique (Dicorynia guianensis Amsh.) is a tree species in French Guiana that is heavily exploited for its wood, but it is known to have variable natural durability, which can be of severe consequences for the user. In this thesis we wanted to understand the origin of the natural durability of Angelique heartwood in order to understand its variability, to beter predict it. This multidisciplinary work combines wood sciences, natural products chemistry and microbiology. First, we implemented a sampling strategy based on the architectural profile of tree individuals to understand the variability of natural durabilityn which was confirmed by biological assays. We then assessed the influence of potential natural durability factors that we measured in the wood samples. As such, the role of metabolies was investigated using targeted and untargeted metabolomics, coupled with a dereplication strategy. Lignin and infradensity have also been tested as factors of durability for Angelique heartwood. Finally, factors that are related to tree ontogeny have been taken into account and the results highlight the importance of the stage development and the environment of tree individuals. Lastly, we have proposez esasy, fast and reliable spectroscopie tools (medium and near infrared) to predict the nartural durability. These results are encouraging and suggest their potential use by the timber industry to predict durability of Angélique heartwood.; L'Angélique (Dicorynia guianensis Amsh.) est une espèce forestière de Guyane très exploitée pour son bois mais ce dernier est connu pour présenter une durabilité naturelle variable, dont les conséquences peuvent être très lourdes pour l'utilisateur. Dans le cadre de cette thèse nous avons souhaité comprendre l'origine de la durabilité naturelle du duramen se l'Angélique afin d'appréhender sa variabilité pour mieux la prédire. Dans un premier temps, nous avons mis en oeuvre une stratégie d'échantillonnage basée sur l'étude architecturale de l'arbre pour appréhender la variabilité de la durabilité naturelle, ce qui a été confirmé par les essais biologiques réalisés. Nous avons par la suite évalué l'influence de potentiels facteurs mesurés dans le bois sur la durabilité naturelle. A ce titre, le rôle des extractibles a été évalué par des approches métaboliques ciblées et non ciblées, couplées à une stratégie de déréplication. La lignine et l'infradensité ont également été retenues comme facteurs de durabilité naturelle de l'Angélique. Enfin, ses caractéristiques propres à l'ontogénie se l'arbre ont été pris en compte et les résultats mettent en lumière l'importance du stade de développement de l'arbre ainsi que son environnement. Enfin, nous avons proposé ses outils spectroscopiques (moyen et proche infrarouge) simples, rapides et fiables pour prédire la durabilité naturelle. Ces résultats sont encourageants et suggèrent leur utilisation potentielle pour la filière bois pour prédire la durabilité naturelle du bois de l'Angélique.