• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 1992

Fine structures of some Korean woods were investigated by X-ray diffraction methods. Relative crystallinity measured by the Segal's method and by the area method was $53{\pm}6%$ and $43{\pm}8%$ in softwoods, and $54{\pm}5%$ and $45{\pm}5%$ in hardwoods, respectively. The crystallite dimension in width was $3.11{\pm}0.45nm$ in softwoods and $3.22{\pm}0.25nm$ in hardwoods. In the longitudinal direction, the dimension was $12.79{\pm}0.89nm$ in softwoods and $12.60{\pm}0.72nm$ in hardwoods. The d-spacings of (200) in equatorial and (004) in meridional layers were about 0. 397 run and about. 0.260 nm, respectively. As a result, relative crystallinity, crystallite dimensions and d-spacings of (200) did not show any differences between the softwoods and hardwoods. The ratio of integrated intensities of (002) and (004), however, showed some differences between the softwoods and hardwoods. Namely, it was $0.101{\pm}0.027$ in softwoods and $0.138{\pm}0.037$ in hardwoods.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 1995

With the aim to investigation of decay resistance and optimum concentration in chrome-copper-arsenic(CCA) preservative treatment on the imported softwoods from Siberia and North america, preservative absorption after CCA impregnation, weight losses and degradation patterns by decay fungi were examined. The density and latewood rate of Siberia softwoods(Spruce and Larch) were higher than those of North america softwoods(Douglas-fir and Western hemlock), resulting in the decrease of the CCA preservative absorption in the Siberia softwoods. In the case of untreated softwoods, decay resistance against Coriolus versicolor was lower than against Tyromyces palustris. For CCA treated softwoods, preservative effectiveness increased with increase in concentration of CCA solution. When treated with 0.7% CCA solution, efficiency value was more than 80 and 90 for C. versicolor and T. palustris, respectively. From this results, in the CCA preservative treatment for imported softwoods, it can be concluded that optimum concentration of CCA solution is approximately 0.7%. The absorption of CCA preservative distributed in the range of 3.8 and $5.5kg/m^3$. After exposure to testing fungi, in the untreated softwoods, bore holes formed in the cell walls and bordered pits, moreover, bordered pit canals enlarged by the fungi. However, 0.5% CCA treated softwoods was almost no deterioration in the cell walls and bordered pits due to decay.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.222-228
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• 2015

To evaluate the natural decay durability of valuable domestic softwoods which are used for preservative treatment in our country, we carried out decay test by European standard method. Of all test wood species, Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) showed slightly high natural decay durability compared to other 4 wood species, Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora), pitch pine (Pinus rigida), Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), and scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). However, all of evaluated domestic softwood species in this study caused high weight losses over about 30% in heartwood by test fungus, Poria placenta. We can hardly expect a good natural decay durability from these softwood species. According to the classification of the natural durability of European standard (EN 350-1), they are classified into "Not durable" or "Slightly durable". Therefore, if using these softwoods as exterior materials, we must do preservative treatment to ensure durability.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 1999

The pH and buffering potential for water extract of seven hardwoods and three softwoods were determined. The pH values ranged from 3.81 to 5.51 for hardwoods and 4.08 to 5.49 for softwoods. The gelation time for a urea-formaldehyde resin for each woods was determined and found to be a range of one minute thirty seven seconds to two minutes thirty nine seconds. Results shows that gelation time of a urea-formaldehyde resin was directly correlated to the pH and inversely correlated with acid buffering potential for seven hardwoods and three softwoods aqueous extracts

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.413-423
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• 2010

The study has been carried to evaluate the wood color, a typical element of visual and decorative effect, for seven major domestic softwoods using L*a*b* and chrominance ($\Delta$E*ab). The result showed that the values of whiteness, redness, and yellowness were positive at both sapwood and heartwood and there were no wood having a small chrominance difference ranged 0~0.5. There was also no wood having a chrominance difference ranging 0.5~3.0. Ginkgo biloba, Pinus koraiensis, and Larix kaempferi wood showed a little different chrominance, Taxus cuspidata, Pinus densiflora for. erecta, and Pinus densiflora wood substantial different chrominance, Juniperus chinensis wood largest different chrominance. It is concluded that the study results could be utilized as a data base in areas of wood craft and furniture and could open a way to substitute foreign imported woods.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.156-162
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• 2008

Three major domestic softwoods, Korean red pine, Korean pine and larch, were heat-treated at $220^{\circ}C$ and for various treatment times for color changing. A new heat treatment equipment was developed for this study and was revealed working well for changing the colors of the three softwoods. The color difference index of 15 was obtained after 8 hours for Korean red pine and Korean pine, and 10 hours for Larch. The correlations of brightness, redness and yellowness with treatment time were different between species.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 1997

Stress wave velocity, wave impedance, and stress wave elasticity of small, clear bending specimens of five domestic softwoods (Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Cryptomeria japonica, and Larix leptolepis) and four tropical hardwoods(Kempas, Malas, Taun, and Terminalia) were correlated with static bending modulus of elasticity(MOE) and modulus of rupture(MOR). The degree of correlation between stress wave parameters and static bending properties was dependent on wood species tested. Stress wave elasticity and wave impedance were better predictors for static bending properties than stress wave velocity for each species individually and for softwood or hardwood species taken as a group, even though elasticity and impedance were nearly equally correlated with static bending properties apparently. Based upon the correlation coefficient between stress wave parameters and static properties, stress wave elasticity and wave impedance were found as stress wave parameters which can be used for the purpose of the reliable and successful prediction of bending properties. The degree of correlation between static MOE and MOR was also different according to wood species tested. Static MOE was nearly as well correlated with MOR as was stress wave elasticity. The results of this research are encouraging and can be considered as a basis for further work using full-size lumber. From the results of this study, it was concluded that stress wave measurements could provide useful predictions of static bending properties and was a feasible method for machine stress grading of domestic softwoods and tropical hardwoods tested in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.91-99
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• 2007

Activities of the extracellular enzyme from Fomitopsis palustris, a brown-rot fungi, and by which crystallinity changes of cellulose in the various softwoods, such as Larix leptolepsis, Finns rigida, Finns koraiensis and Finns densiflora by liquid culture, were investigated. Activity of Cellobiohydrolase (CBH) from F. palustris was detected in the every test softwoods culture, showing activities of the Endoglucanase (EG), $\beta$-glucosidase (BGL) and $\beta$-1,4-xylosidase (BXL). It was shown high enzyme activities in the sapwood culture than heartwood of the same wood species, However, the enzyme activities in most of test wood cultures increased with longer incubation time, indicating a possibility of intermix sapwood and heartwood for degradation process by enzyme. Also it was shown that protein patterns of the extracellular enzyme from F. palustris in wood particle substrate of the several domestic softwoods were similar with each other wood species, which suggested the possibility of mixing all softwoods in saccharification by enzyme from F. palustris. Crystallinity reduction value of cellulose by F. palustris was 4.2~20.4% in 4 weeks cultivation, 12.9~28.9% in 8 weeks.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.50
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• pp.200-206
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• 2023

Although softwoods are widely distributed in Korea and used in various industries, studies are limited and comparative research on softwoods has been overlooked. Therefore, in this study, the physiological activity of four species of softwoods found in Korea was quantified. Needles and cones of Pinus densiflora, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Cryptomeria japonica, and Abies koreana were collected, and material was extracted using 70% methanol. We quantified the following physiological traits: total phenol and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity (DPPH, TEAC, FRAP), and inhibitory activity of the enzymes α-glucosidase, elastase, and tyrosinase. Total phenol and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities were high in Chamaecyparis obtusa and Cryptomeria japonica, and α-glucosidase inhibition activity was highest in the leaves of Chamaecyparis obtusa. Elastase inhibitory activity was high in the leaves and cones of Pinus densiflora and the cones of Abies koreana, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity was highest in the leaves of Pinus densiflora. In Korea, softwoods are planted extensively on roadsides and as windbreaks, and they are highly competitive in supplying raw materials since they are pruned every year. Based on the results of this study, softwoods are considered suitable for use in healthcare products, diabetes products, wrinkles, and whitening cosmetics.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2008

In a previous study, it was revealed that three major softwoods, Japanese pine, Korean pine and Japanese larch, heat-treated at $220^{\circ}C$, could produce high quality dark-colored boards. It is known that heat treatment decreases the hygroscopicity of wood. The hygroscopicity of major domestic softwoods and hardwoods heat-treated at $220^{\circ}C$ was investigated by a saturated salt solution method and compared with that of black and white charcoals. Equilibrium moisture contents of wood decreased with the increase of heat treatment time. Isotherm shapes of wood species were different from those of charcoals. Heat treatment decreases the equilibrium moisture contents of black locust more than those of Korean pine and Japanese larch. It was found that surface hardness of wood is improved by heat treatment to a certain extent, but a longer heat treatment causes thermal degradation, resulting in the decrease of the surface hardness.