The buried wood of Prumnopitys ferruginea, a New Zealand native tree, was examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the extent to which the wood had deteriorated and the cause of its deterioration. Examinations showed that some deterioration of wood had occurred. Microscopy revealed a decay pattern similar to that produced by cavitation bacteria. Lenticular cavities were seen in the S2 layer of tracheid walls oriented diagonally to the length of tracheids. Large areas of the affected S2 wall had a dense, homogeneous appearance. These differed from sound areas of the S2 wall which were much lighter. Some areas of the homogeneous wall contained dense granules. The impression obtained from high resolution images in the TEM was that the granulation of the homogeneous wall preceded clearing of this wall. We assume that cavities formed in these clearing zones.

Download document (4.6 Mb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document