Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative studies on the in-ground and above-ground durability of European oak heartwood (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L.)

  • Originals Originalarbeiten
  • Published:
European Journal of Wood and Wood Products Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The durability of European oak (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) is controversially discussed since a long time. While it is classified as a “durable” timber species (durability class 2, according to EN 350-2), results from different studies indicated a lower durability. Therefore comparative studies with sessile oak and English oak were carried out including laboratory resistance tests against different basidiomycetes, soil box tests against soft rot and other soil-inhabiting micro-organisms, as well as in-ground and above-ground field trials at different test sites. Both oak species were rated “non-durable” (durability class 5, DC 5) in soil box tests and in-ground field trials and “slightly durable” (DC 4) in above-ground field trials. Solely results from laboratory tests with pure basidiomycete cultures led to partly better estimates (“very durable” to “moderately durable” DC 1-3), but did not represent the organisms responsible for decay in the field. For oak, EN 350-2 reflects only laboratory results but not the performance of the material in real field situations.

Zusammenfassung

Die Dauerhaftigkeit von Eichenholz (Quercus petraea Liebl. und Quercus robur L.) wird seit Langem kontrovers diskutiert. Während es nach der europäischen Norm EN 350-2 als „dauerhaft“ (Dauerhaftigkeitsklasse 2) eingestuft wird, lassen Ergebnisse aus verschiedenen Untersuchungen eine geringere Dauerhaftigkeit vermuten. Aus diesem Grund wurden vergleichende Studien zur Dauerhaftigkeit von Stieleichen- und Traubeneichenholz durchgeführt. Hierzu gehörten Abbauversuche im Labor mit verschiedenen Basidiomyceten, Labor-Erdeingrabeversuche zur Ermittlung der Resistenz gegenüber Moderfäule und anderen bodenbewohnenden Mikroorganismen, sowie Freilandversuche mit und ohne Erdkontakt an verschiedenen Standorten. Beide Eichen-Arten wurden als „nicht dauerhaft“ (Dauerhaftigkeitsklasse 5, DHK 5) in Labor- und Freiland-Erdeingrabeversuch- en und „wenig dauerhaft“ (DHK 4) im Freiland außerhalb der Erde eingestuft. Einzig die Ergebnisse aus den Laborversuchen mit Basidiomyceten-Reinkulturen führten teilweise zu einer besseren Einschätzung („sehr dauerhaft“ bis „mäßig dauerhaft“ DHK 1–3), wobei aber die im Freiland dominant aufgetretenen Organismen und Fäuletypen nur bedingt vertreten waren. Die Klassifizierung nach EN 350-2 spiegelt somit lediglich die Laborergebnisse wider, nicht aber das Verhalten des Materials in realen Freilandsituationen.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Acker van J, Militz H, Stevens M (1999) The significance of accelerated laboratory testing methods determining the natural durability of wood. Holzforschung 53:449–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Acker van J, Stevens M, Carey J, Sierra-Alvarez R, Militz H, Le Bayon I, Kleist G, Peek R-D (2003) Biological durability of wood in relation to end-use. Part 1. towards a European standard for laboratory testing of the biological durability of wood. Holz Roh- Werkst 61:35–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Aloui F, Ayadi N, Charrier F, Charrier B (2004) Durability of European oak (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur) against white rot fungi (Coriolus versicolor): relations with phenol extractives. Holz Roh- Werkst 62:286–290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Augusta U (2007) Untersuchung der natürlichen Dauerhaftigkeit wirtschaftlich bedeutender Holzartren bei verschiedener Beanspruchung im Außenbereich. Dissertation, University of Hamburg

  5. Ayadi N, Charrier B, Irmouli M, Charpentier JP, Jay Allemand C, Feuillat F, Keller R (2001) Interspecific variability of European oak durability against white rot fungi (Coriolus versicolor): Comparison between sessile oak and peduncle oak (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur). Document No. IRG/WP 01-10393. International Research Group On Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bellmann H (1988) Relative Resistenz der Holzarten gegenüber Basidiomyceten. Auswertung früherer Laboratoriumsprüfungen. Holz Roh- Werkst 46:417–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. CEN (1989) EN 252 Durability of wood and wood-based products. Field test method for determining the relative protective effectiveness of a wood preservative in ground contact. CEN (European committee for standardization), Brussels

  8. CEN (1994a) EN 350-1 Durability of wood and wood-based products – Natural durability of solid wood – Part 1: Guide to the principles of testing and classification of the natural durability of wood. CEN (European committee for standardization), Brussels

  9. CEN (1994b) EN 350-2 Durability of wood and wood-based products – Natural durability of solid wood – Part 2: Guide to natural durability and treatability of selected wood species of importance in Europe. CEN (European committee for standardization), Brussels

  10. CEN (1996) EN 113 Wood preservatives – Test method for determining the protective effectiveness against wood destroying basidiomycetes – Determination of the toxic values. CEN (European committee for standardization), Brussels

  11. CEN (2001) ENV 807 Wood preservatives – Determination of the effectiveness against soft rotting micro-fungi and other soil inhabiting micro-organisms. CEN (European committee for standardization), Brussels

  12. CEN (2006) EN 335-1 Durability of wood and wood- based products – Definition of use classes – Part 1: General. EN (European committee for standardization), Brussels

  13. Chadwick M (1900) The oak and the thunder-god. J Anthrop Inst Great Britain and Ireland 30:22–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Edlund M-L (1998) Durability of untreated wood exposed in terrestrial test fields and microcosms. Mat Org 32:235–275

    Google Scholar 

  15. Evans FG, Flaete P-O, Alfredsen G (2008) Natural durability of different wood species in above ground applications – Weight and MOE loss. Document No. IRG/WP 08–10667. International Research Group On Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden

  16. Guilley E, Charpentier JP, Ayadi N, Snakkers G, Nepveu G, Charrier B (2004) Decay resistance against Coriolus versicolor in Sessile oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.): analysis of the between-tree variability and correlations with extractives, tree growth and other basic wood properties. Wood Sci Technol 38:539–554

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Haneca K, van Acker J, Beeckman H (2005) Growth trends reveal the forest structure during Roman and Medieval times in Western Europe: a comparison between archaeological and actual oak ring series (Quercus robur and Quercus petraea). Ann For Sci 62:797–805

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Humar M, Fabčič B, Zupančič M, Pohleven F, Oven P (2008) Influence of xylem growth ring width and wood density on durability of oak heartwood. Int BioBio 62:368–371

    Google Scholar 

  19. Klaassen RKWM (2008) Bacterial decay in wooden foundation piles – Patterns and causes: A study of historical pile foundations in the Netherlands. Int BioBio 61:45–60

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kollert W (1991) Die Eiche im Holzaufkommen und Außenhandel. Forstwiss Cent bl 110:196–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Lindegaard B, Morsing N (2003) Natural durability of European wood species for exterior use above ground. Document No. IRG/WP 03-10499. International Research Group On Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden

  22. Mieß S (1997) Einfluss des Wasserhaushaltes auf Abbau und Fäuletypen in terrestrischen Mikrokosmen. Diploma thesis, University of Hamburg, Germany

  23. Militz H, Michon SGL, Polman JE, Stevens M (1996) A comparison between different accelerated test methods for the determination of the natural durability of wood. Document No. IRG/WP 96–20099. International Research Group On Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden

  24. Rapp AO, Augusta U (2004) The full guideline for the “double layer test method” – A field test method for determining the durability of wood out of ground. Document No. IRG/WP 04-20290. International Research Group On Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden

  25. Rapp AO, Brischke C, Welzbacher CR (2007) The influence of different soil substrates on the service life of Scots pine sapwood and oak heartwood in ground contact. Wood Mater Sci Eng 2:15–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Rayner ADM, Boddy L (1988) Fungal decomposition of wood – its biology and ecology. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  27. Sierra-Alvarez R, Le Bayon I, Carey J, Stephan I, Van Acker J, Grinda M, Kleist G, Militz H, Peek R-D (1998) Laboratory testing of wood natural durability in soil-bed assay. Document No. IRG/WP 98-20141. International Research Group On Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden

  28. Schmidt O (2006) Wood and Tree Fungi. Biology, Damage, Protection, and Use. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  29. Smith GA, Orsler RJ (1994) The biological natural durability of timber in ground contact. Document No. IRG/WP 94–20051. International Research Group On Wood Protection, Stockholm, Sweden

  30. Schulz G (1976) Erfahrungen mit Holzschwellen in einer Erzbahnstrecke in Liberia, Westafrika. Holz Roh- Werkst 34:325–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Wälchli O (1973) Die Widerstandsfähigkeit verschiedener Holzarten gegen Angriffe durch den echten Hausschwamm (Merulius lacrimans (Wulf.) Fr.). Holz Roh- Werkst 31:96–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Wälchli O (1976) Die Widerstandsfähigkeit verschiedener Holzarten gegen Angriffe durch Coniophora puteana (Schum. Ex fr.) Karst. (Kellerschwamm) und Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers. Ex Fr.) Murrill (Balkenblättling). Holz Roh- Werkst 34:335–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Welzbacher CR, Rapp AO (2007) Durability of thermally modified timber (TMT) from industrial scale processes in different use classes: Results from laboratory and field test. Wood Mater Scie Eng 2:4–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Vocational Sciences in the Building Trade, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhäuser Str. 8, 30419, Hannover, Germany

    C. Brischke, C. R. Welzbacher & A. O. Rapp

  2. Einemhofer Weg 25, 21394, Westergellersen, Germany

    U. Augusta

  3. Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute for Wood Technology and Wood Biology, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute (vTI), Leuschnerstr. 91, 21031, Hamburg, Germany

    K. Brandt

Authors
  1. C. Brischke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. R. Welzbacher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. O. Rapp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. U. Augusta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. K. Brandt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Brischke.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brischke, C., Welzbacher, C.R., Rapp, A.O. et al. Comparative studies on the in-ground and above-ground durability of European oak heartwood (Quercus petraea Liebl. and Quercus robur L.) . Eur. J. Wood Prod. 67, 329–338 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-009-0329-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-009-0329-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation