„Pech gehabt!“ – Investigations on Pinus nigra with and without tapping Natural and anthropogenic effects on wood properties

Investigations on pitch from Austrian black pines (Pinus nigra var. austriaca) have been carried out to date in the context of the historical utilization of wood and recovery of ingredients for different applications and production processes. The objective of the project is to investigate the influence of environmental conditions such as habitat and season, on the composition of pitch from Pinus nigra var. austriaca and to reveal the impact of pitch tapping on several selected wood characteristics. For this purpose both tapped and not tapped pines are investigated in order to demonstrate the influence of former pine tapping in this area on different wood properties. For an overall characterization of pitch and wood FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis are used. Within the scope of the project the resistance against degradation by means of co-composting is determined as well as related parameters such as density, wettability and the content of extractable ingredients. These investigations are carried out with pitch containing and pitch free (after extraction) wood samples. Several sites in the area of the forestry administration “Klein Mariazell“ (district Baden, Wienerwald) were selected for sampling due to the permission to collect the required pitch and wood samples. Additionally data of measurements on red (Pinus sylvestris) and black pines (Pinus nigra var. austriaca) originating from these sites and plant ecological investigations of the area are available. Students of the AHS Kenyongasse who are interested in the so called “vorwissenschaftliche Arbeit” and “Fachbereichsarbeit” respectively, are integrated in the research project and have the opportunity to perform their scientific work. Depending on the focus of interest there are different topics available e.g. “Historical utilization of wood in the Wienerwald region (Wood, pitch, charcoal)“ or „Description of the habitat of Pinus nigra var. austriaca “. Support is provided by BOKU-students who are briefed on educational and didactic know-how by means of the lecture „Wissenschaftlicher Dialog mit Jugendlichen“ that is established within the scope of the project.