Pore space analysis of beech wood: the vessel network

TL;DR

This study uses synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy to analyze the 3D vessel network in beech wood, revealing insights into vessel size, organization, and network connectivity crucial for water transport.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of SRXTM for detailed 3D analysis of vessel networks in wood, linking microstructure to complex network properties.

Findings

Vessel size varies with spatial location within growth rings.

The vessel network exhibits specific connectivity patterns.

Vessel porosity correlates with organization inside growth rings.

Abstract

Water transport in wood is vital for the survival of trees. With synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM), it becomes possible to characterize and quantify the 3D network formed by vessels that are responsible for longitudinal transport. In the present paper, the spatial size dependence of vessels and the organization inside single growth rings in terms of vessel induced porosity was studied by SRXTM. Network characteristics, such as connectivity, were deduced by digital image analysis from the processed tomographic data and related to known complex network topologies.