Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) Wood Quality after Defoliation by Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) in the Boreal Forest of Quebec, Canada

Eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) is considered the most important disturbing insect in coniferous stands eastern North America. During an outbreak, can cause severe defoliation balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), which affect wood properties such as moisture content and mechanical properties. This project aimed to assess influence of duration on quality mature trees. To do this, we studied sapwood proportion, decay, content, tracheid dimensions that had suffered three, four or five years defoliation. We also compared living dead firs evaluated change with time. Our results showed from a loss rapidly after their death, particularly terms decay sapwood. Sapwood proportion was similar between trees, but trees contained more lower than Mechanical were 10% 4% did not observe any major differences three durations defoliation, suggesting degradation occurs before that. The study make it possible determine optimal harvest stands.