Cell Wall Organization and the Properties of the Xylem 1. Cell Wall Organization and the Variation of Breaking Load in Tension of the Xylem in Conifer Stems

Abstract

The variation of breaking load in tension of tangential longitudinal sections of wood, taken from successive growth rings of each of six conifer stems, has been studied. An increase in this property was observed in successive growth rings from the stem centre of each specimen. This was paralleled by an increase in tracheid length, basic density, and cellulose content. The inclination to the longitudinal cell axis of the spiral micellar system of the cell wall decreased with increasing tracheid length.