Since 2019, spruce trees have been dying on a massive scale in German forests. Drought weakens the trees, and bark beetles finish them off. What remains are dead trees still standing upright in the forest. Over time, this damaged wood often loses quality. But researchers at the Institute of Wood Technology Dresden (IHD) have now shown that some of it can still be used for high-quality applications.
Fungi, samples and a drilling machine
In the NUKAFI project, IHD scientists investigated how the quality and usability of damaged spruce wood change over time. They analyzed wood samples from forests and dry storage sites, measured mechanical properties such as strength, and examined fungal infestation.The team also tested a special inspection method known as drilling resistance testing. A thin drill is inserted into the wood, and the resistance reveals whether rot has already formed inside.
The researchers found that damaged wood without visible fungal decay can remain almost as stable as healthy wood. If carefully sorted, it can still be used to manufacture high-quality wood products.
