Material Knowledge
The challenge of optimising product performance begins with a fundamental knowledge of wood and fibres, and how they are formed. Ensis specialises in quantifying and understanding causes of variability in wood and fibre properties of standing trees (predominantly Pinus radiata and plantation eucalypts).
The purpose of this research is to help industry improve the commercial production and sustainable use of plantation timber over time. Ensis captures this knowledge in software tools that link the properties of individual trees to the commercial use of their logs.
Research areas include:
- Fibre ultrastructure – Determining the interaction of individual fibre properties, their cell wall ultrastructure and chemistry through groundbreaking microscopy techniques.
- Wood and fibre chemistry - Developing rapid scanning techniques for measuring the wood and fibre, physical and chemical properties of radiata pine and eucalypt species.
- Environmental effects on variability – Understanding how variable site conditions impact wood formation.
- Tree Growth – Predicting individual stem growth, crown development, knots, and stem wood density through TreeBlossim, a software tool developed in conjunction with the Ensis – Industry Stand Growth Modelling Cooperative.
- Spatial distribution of wood properties – Integrating information measured at various scales from micro-structure up to tree or stand level in order to provide a better basis for improving wood flow management.
Contact: