The principal objective of this article was to recognise and understand the amenability of ray parenchyma cell ends (end platform) in uniseriate ray tissue to influence the radial permeability of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) by examination of most (Queen Charlotte Islands in Rhondda, South Wales) and the least (South Oregon in Dalby, North-East England) seed origins that grown in Britain. These seed origins were selected because they showed extremes in radial permeability using a copper-chromium-arsenic wood preservative full cell treatment. Differences of radial permeability of this extreme seed origins were explained by a detailed examination of the structures of the uniseriate ray parenchyma cell ends by SEM and Image Analysis. The data of the microscopic observations was analysed and differences in cell composition and dimensions were observed. The results showed that the nature of the simple pits in ray parenchyma cell ends and the condition of the end platform were the most significant factors affecting radial permeability in Sitka spruce.

Download document (375 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document