Acidity and Colour Response of Sitka Spruce (Picea Sitchensis) Wood to Different Drying Temperatures

Abstract The effects of different drying temperatures on the acidity and colour response of Scottish grown Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) wood was investigated. Drying at 60°C resulted in reduction in wood acidity and marginally improvement in wood colour. Increasing drying temperature increases wood acidity with some associated minor degree of colour loss. Changes in wood acidity and colour were suggested to be due to the possibilities of loss of some volatile organic compounds during low temperature drying and in addition to this some degree of wood degradation during high temperature drying. Therefore, low temperature drying especially in the regime of 60ºC is beneficial for reduction of acidity and colour enhancement in this species.