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Forests
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Phenomenon of Wood Colour
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Phenomenon of Wood Colour

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Wood Science and Forest Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2025 | Viewed by 6674

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Richard Hrčka

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Guest Editor
Department of Wood Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, T. G. Masaryka 24, 96001 Zvolen, Slovak Republic
Interests: properties and structure of wood; processing of wood
Dr. Magdalena Broda

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Wood Science and Thermal Techniques, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Interests: wood structure; wood composition; wood characterisation; wood conservation; wood preservation; waterlogged archaeological wood; structure–function relationships; wood decay; organosilicons in wood conservation; wood modification
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Vlastimil Borůvka

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Guest Editor
Department of Wood Processing and Biomaterials, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: wood characterisation; wood structure and properties (mechanical testing, physical testing); wood modification; wood quality; wood-based materials (generally lignocellulosic materials, primarily wood-fiber boards-manufacturing process, development and properties); creep of wood and wood based materials; wood processing; recycling technologies; impact of silvicultural measures; wood (forest) sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The perception of wood character includes its colour. The effects exerted on wood by surroundings through the surface, intensive heat transport through the surface or transforming energy for breaking chemical bonds of wood compounds significantly influence wood colour. Clarification of wood colour alteration mechanisms during such processes is desirable. The intelligent processing and use of wood requires the understanding of wood properties, including colour. The quality of wood is often linked to its colour. The final decision of customers is influenced by the colour of wood products. Wood products are modified with non-transparent coatings or transparent lacquers. The colour of wood is determined by observers using eyes or various devices. The correlation of colour with wood properties is an efficient tool in measurement methods. The colour design partially forms the wood texture. The assembling of pieces of wood into the final product, according to its texture, brings the challenges for designers or scholars to create smart, stable or added-value products.

We encourage experimental or theoretical studies to be incorporated into this systematic collection of information about wood colour, description of wood colour in phrased or digital form, measurement of wood colour, statistical approaches regarding wood colour, correlation of wood colour with properties of wood, wood colour during and after the interaction of wood with various forms of energy, the processes of forming new wood surfaces or their restoration, the colour of wood as a non-homogeneous, anisotropic and porous material, the reflectance and transmittance of wood, the wood colour under different illuminance, the colour of wood compounds, the colour of wood tissues, the wood defects colour, the colour of wood modified with different coatings, the wood texture as space distribution of colour on wood surfaces, and colours and texture of wood smart materials.

Dr. Richard Hrčka
Dr. Magdalena Broda
Dr. Vlastimil Borůvka
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • wood
  • wood-based materials
  • colour
  • processes
  • surface
  • discolouration

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 6373 KiB  
Article
Degradation of Oil Paint Coating Based on Wood Under the Combined Effect of UV Light and Heat
by Shaojun Zuo, Tongtong Li, Tong Chen, Jianing Li and Xinyou Liu
Forests 2025, 16(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16010022 - 26 Dec 2024
Viewed by 745
Abstract
This study examined the degradation of oil paint coatings on wood under UV light and heat, focusing on three drying oils: tung oil (TO), linseed oil (LO), and walnut oil (WO). Model coatings were prepared with malachite pigment on rubber wood, then exposed [...] Read more.
This study examined the degradation of oil paint coatings on wood under UV light and heat, focusing on three drying oils: tung oil (TO), linseed oil (LO), and walnut oil (WO). Model coatings were prepared with malachite pigment on rubber wood, then exposed to 240 h of UV light at temperatures of 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C. The results showed that tung oil (TO) was the most prone to degradation. After exposure to 60 °C, the lightness (L value) of TO decreased from 51.44 to 50.98, while LO and WO maintained higher lightness. The color differences (ΔE) for TO, LO, and WO were 3.08, 3.26, and 2.87, respectively. Gloss measurements revealed that TO had the lowest initial gloss (3.87 GU), while WO had the highest gloss value. After UV exposure, all three coatings showed a decrease in gloss to varying degrees. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed oxidative degradation in TO, characterized by increased hydroxyl and carbonyl bands, while LO and WO exhibited better chemical stability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the surface of TO was the roughest, while the WO surface was the smoothest. After UV exposure, the surface of TO became significantly rougher, while the WO coating showed almost no changes, maintaining better structural integrity. The results suggest that LO and WO are more resilient to UV light and thermal stress, making them more suitable for protecting wooden products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenomenon of Wood Colour)
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13 pages, 3862 KiB  
Article
Discolouration and Chemical Changes of Beech Wood After CO2 Laser Engraving
by Jozef Kúdela, Ivan Kubovský and Michal Andrejko
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122211 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 815
Abstract
This study evaluated the influence of infrared laser radiation produced by a CO2 laser, performing under different engraving parameters, on the colour changes and chemical composition of a beech wood surface. The results showed that the lightness clearly decreased with increasing laser [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the influence of infrared laser radiation produced by a CO2 laser, performing under different engraving parameters, on the colour changes and chemical composition of a beech wood surface. The results showed that the lightness clearly decreased with increasing laser power and density. At the highest laser power and the highest raster density, the ΔL* value was 51.3. The values of coordinates a* and b* moderately increased up to a raster density of 5 mm−1; then, with a subsequent raster density increase, the values of these coordinates decreased again. However, the coordinate values were positive in all cases. Even the lowest laser power and raster density resulted in conspicuous discolouration or even a completely new colour compared to the original (ΔE = 10) of the beech wood surface. Further increases in the laser power and raster density resulted in progressively pronounced colour differences and a darker brown colour of the surface. The ATR-FTIR chemical analysis of the beech wood surface revealed that discolouration was mainly caused by heat-induced processes associated with the degradation of carbonyl groups (C=O) in lignin and hemicelluloses. The splitting of C=O bonds induced changes in the content of chromophores responsible for the natural wood colour and for the engraving-related discolouration. The study demonstrates that the amount of energy supplied onto the wood surface by a laser beam using diverse combinations of radiation parameters can be represented by a single variable: the total irradiation dose. The functional relation detected between this variable and the colour differences may serve as a basis for using a controlled laser beam for targeted wood surface discolouration to improve the quality of patterns transferred onto a wood surface. Knowledge of this relation will enable the targeted setting of the laser parameters during engraving so that the laser beam can be used as a tool for transferring high-quality patterns onto wood surfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenomenon of Wood Colour)
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14 pages, 2505 KiB  
Article
Finding Spalting Fungi in the Peruvian Tropical Premontane Cloud Forest on Peruvian Native Wood Species
by Javier F. Illescas Guevara, Kevin P. Candiotti Martinez, Patricia T. Vega Gutierrez, Martin Araujo Flores and Sarath M. Vega Gutierrez
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2078; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122078 - 25 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 985
Abstract
Tropical montane and premontane forests are diverse, including fungi. However, little is known about spalting fungi (decay fungi that change the color of wood) in tropical regions despite the economic importance they could bring by enhancing wood esthetics. To increase the knowledge of [...] Read more.
Tropical montane and premontane forests are diverse, including fungi. However, little is known about spalting fungi (decay fungi that change the color of wood) in tropical regions despite the economic importance they could bring by enhancing wood esthetics. To increase the knowledge of the diversity of spalting fungi, a sampling of fallen logs, branches (exposing xylem to identify potential pigmenting and zone line-producing fungi), and fruiting bodies (on wood) was conducted in the premontane moist forest in the district of San Ramon, Junín, Peru. The fungi were collected, cultured, isolated, and sequenced. Also, the identified species were used in a novel test to confirm they were producing spalting on Guazuma crinita. The species found belong to the Ascomycota orders Xylariales and Diaporthales and the Basidiomycota orders Agaricales, Polyporales, and Russulales. The fungi collected produced bleaching, different colors of zone lines, and pigmentation in laboratory conditions. The results increase the database of spalted fungi in Peru, and the test used in this research could be the basis for a quick test to identify spalting fungi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenomenon of Wood Colour)
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13 pages, 5177 KiB  
Article
Color Change of Pear Wood (Pyrus communis L.) during Water Steam Treatment
by Miljenko Klarić, Nikola Španić, Zlatko Budrović, Andreja Čunčić Zorić, Stjepan Pervan and Kristina Klarić
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1685; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101685 - 25 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1018
Abstract
Hydrothermal treatment of wood, particularly steaming with saturated water steam, is often used to achieve a more intensive and homogenous wood color or to vary its hue. However, information on pear wood (Pyrus communis L.) steaming is limited in the available literature. [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal treatment of wood, particularly steaming with saturated water steam, is often used to achieve a more intensive and homogenous wood color or to vary its hue. However, information on pear wood (Pyrus communis L.) steaming is limited in the available literature. This paper investigates the influence of steaming on the color of pear wood. Green, water-saturated samples of pear wood heartwood and sapwood were steamed with saturated water steam for 24 h at 98 °C. The color of the heartwood and sapwood was assessed both visually and with a standard three-stimulus colorimeter using the CIEL*a*b* system, and compared to the natural color of pear-wood. Additionally, FT-IR spectrometry was employed to analyze chemical changes in the wood samples. The results showed that both heartwood and sapwood experienced a decrease in lightening (L*), an increase in redness (a*), and a decrease in yellowness (b*) during steaming. Furthermore, a trend toward the equalization of L*, a*, and b* parameters between heartwood and sapwood over time was observed. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that the chemical changes during steaming were primarily related to extractives and hemicelluloses, with no significant changes in cellulose and lignin. The obtained results suggest that pear wood color can be equalized to some extent by steaming and that the extent of the color change to darker tones is dependent on steaming time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenomenon of Wood Colour)
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18 pages, 8183 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition as the Indicator of Thermally Treated Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Wood Colour
by Viera Kučerová, Richard Hrčka and Tatiana Hýrošová
Forests 2024, 15(7), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15071186 - 9 Jul 2024
Viewed by 961
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the influence of increased temperature on the mass loss, chemical composition, and colour of pine wood because of the lack of such information. The colour was measured on samples of wood, extracted sawdust, holocellulose, and lignin isolated from [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the influence of increased temperature on the mass loss, chemical composition, and colour of pine wood because of the lack of such information. The colour was measured on samples of wood, extracted sawdust, holocellulose, and lignin isolated from the extracted sawdust of pine heartwood and sapwood. A wood sample labelled 20 °C was considered as wood with the original composition. Subsequently, we verified the measured values with the proposed mixing colour model. Pine heartwood and sapwood samples were thermally treated at temperatures of 100, 150, 200, 220, 240, and 260 °C for 1, 3, and 5 h. It was found that sapwood degraded faster than heartwood. The thermal treatment of wood increases lignin content and decreases holocellulose content, especially at 260 °C. The maximum extractive content of 3.60% was at 1 h and a temperature of 260 °C for both parts of the wood. Lightness values decreased with increasing temperature and time of treatment. The coordinate a* of heartwood showed a positive slope until one hour of treatment duration and a temperature of 240 °C. Then, it decreased for the subsequent duration of treatment. The same course was shown for the coordinate b* of sapwood at a temperature of 200 °C. The proposed model of mixing colours proved that changes in both parts of a wood-extracted substance, holocellulose, and lignin content, were responsible for the changing colour of extracted wood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenomenon of Wood Colour)
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11 pages, 2157 KiB  
Article
Homogenization of the Color of Beech Sapwood and False Heartwood by the Steaming Process
by Ladislav Dzurenda and Michal Dudiak
Forests 2024, 15(6), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15061009 - 9 Jun 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 930
Abstract
This work presents the results of the homogenization of the color of sapwood and false heartwood Fagus sylvatica L. into a uniform color shade due to the influence of the temperature of saturated moist air and saturated water steam in individual steaming modes. [...] Read more.
This work presents the results of the homogenization of the color of sapwood and false heartwood Fagus sylvatica L. into a uniform color shade due to the influence of the temperature of saturated moist air and saturated water steam in individual steaming modes. The results of analyses of the influence of temperature within 24 h point out the different changes in the color of the sapwood and the wood of the false heartwood when the uniform color of the beech wood is achieved by the steaming process. By steaming beech wood with a false heartwood saturated with moist air at a temperature of tI = 95 °C during τ = 24 h, the color of the sapwood does not merge with the color of the wood of the false heartwood. The sapwood darkens and, on the other hand, the wood of the false heartwood slightly lightens, while the significant color contrast is removed, but the color homogenization in the individual zones does not occur. The unification of the colors in individual zones occurs during the steaming process at a temperature of saturated water steam tII ≈ 105 °C in 18 h, where the resulting brown color is identified in the color space CIE L*a*b* by the values of the lightness L* = 61.3 ± 2.2 and of the red color a* = 12.4 ± 1.3 and yellow color b* = 19.5 ± 1.4. The most pronounced homogenization of the color occurs through the steaming process at a temperature of saturated water steam tIII ≈ 120 °C, where the wood acquires a uniform dark brown–gray color in a time of τ ≈ 9 h steaming. The coordinates of the color-homogenized steamed beech wood are L* = 55.9 ± 1.9, a* = 12.3 ± 1.2, and b* = 19.6 ± 1.3. The unification of the colors by the steaming process is achieved by darkening both the sapwood and the wood of the false heartwood. In the overall color homogenization, the sapwood and the wood of the false heartwood do not participate equally in the steaming process. While the total color difference between the sapwood and a color homogenized state is quantified by the value ∆EtI* = 8, ∆EtIII* = 22.7, the total color difference in the wood with a false heartwood is only ∆EtI* = 1.9, ∆EtIII* = 11.8. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phenomenon of Wood Colour)
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