Re: Actual heat from the fuel re: African Stove Tests

[Carefreeland@aol.com]

David writes:
    Chemical composition and density can vary greatly by site conditions, 
age, and
where on the stem the wood grew. Larch butts, for example, can be up 23% (by
weight) arabinogalactan. One board can be as light as pine and the next would
have been a "sinker" log, if logs were still transported by boom or river
drive.
    
Dan replies: 
    Thanks for backing me up on this observation of variation in wood density 
and chemistry within a tree trunk.  Another good example is the effect that 
tree base wood dulls a chainsaw so quick.  The reason here is "splash up" of 
soil from the rain as the tree is growing.  The bark grows around so much 
dirt, that it acts like polishing grit on a cutting chain.  
    Lower on a plant, there is also less filtering of salts picked up by the 
roots through cellular membrane osmosis.  An example of this, is the reason 
why we take cuttings of vegetative plants to renew the tissue.  It's like 
changing the filter cartridge. 
    This all makes higher ash content in the tree base.  
    The base of a tree also is stiffened the most by reaction to the wind, 
producing buttresses in large trees.  I am sure that this wood is of the 
stiffer variety from more carbon bonding.  This wouldn't make a huge 
difference, but a measurable one chemically. Density is more affected. 
     Question, what is ARABINOGALACTAN ?  What is it used for? 
    Thanks, 
                 Dan Dimiduk    

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