Bordered pit aspiration in the wood of Cryptomeria japonica in relation to air permeability

Aspiration of bordered pits in Cryptomeria japonica (L. f.) D. Don was studied in relation to the air permeability in sapwood, transition zone wood, and heartwood. The percentage of aspirated pits relative to the total number of bordered pits with observable tori was determined in samples that were epoxy-embedded and thin sectioned. Air permeability of air-dried and freeze-dried wood samples was measured following the method described by Siau (1984). Pit membrane structure of air-dried and freeze-dried samples was investigated by scanning electron microscopy on split radial surfaces. It is proposed that pit aspiration progresses during heartwood formation as already reported, but the pit aspiration was frequently incomplete and the percentage varied between individuals. The pit aspiration percentage was not obviously related to the sample's initial green moisture content or heartwood color. The results from permeability measurement and SEM observation on air- and freeze-dried samples suggest that pit aspiration occurred in sapwood samples (the initial moisture content of which ranged from 200 to 300%) during air-drying and caused a significant decrease in permeability confirming the pit aspiration mechanism proposed by Hart and Thomas (1967). In the heartwood, encrustation of pit membranes prevented aspiration during air-drying.