Abstract:

The microfibril angle and fiber morphology of wood of 16 baldcypress provenances (Taxodium distichum) of 14 years old were determined, and the results were as follows: 1) The microfibril angle of wood of 16 baldcypress provenances had significant difference, and the microfibril angle varied between 29.9° and 35.8°. The microfibril angle at DBH decreased gradually from pith to bark, and it increased gradually from base of tree trunk to top. 2) There also existed significant variation in fiber length and fiber width of 16 baldcypress provenances, and the fiber length and width at DBH of baldcypress increased gradually from pith to bark, and it increased with increasing of tree trunk height. 3) There was significant negative correlation between microfibril angel and wood fiber length, and there was significant positive correlation between fiber length and fiber width. 4) 16 baldcypress provenances were divided into 4 groups by the method of Q-mode cluster analysis according to microfibril angel and wood fibre length: the first group was higher microfibril angel and middle fiber length, and the second group was middle wood fiber length and microfibril angel, and the third was smaller microfibril angel and longer wood fiber length, and last group was shorter wood fiber length and middle microfibril angel. According to microfibril angel and wood fibre length, No.2 and No.30 provenances were better provenances in wood-utilization.

Key words: Taxodium distichum, provenance, microfibril angle, fiber morphology, variation