Cell deformation of Taxodium hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan’ wood during the drying process

Morphological changes were examined in the wood cells of the Taxodium hybrid ‘zhongshanshan’ during the drying process, using wood sectioning and image processing methods. The results showed that the radial and tangential shrinkage rates were 2.7% and 5.8%, respectively. The tracheids displayed greater tangential than radial shrinkages, and latewood tracheids presented greater radial and tangential shrinkages than earlywood tracheids. The wood rays had little effect on cell lumen and tangential shrinkages of tracheids, unless they were adjacent to them. Shrinkage anisotropy was caused by the combined effect of difference between earlywood and latewood, and the inhibitory effect of wood rays. The fiber saturation point of Taxodium hybrid ‘zhongshanshan’ was between 33.3% and 38.3%. This study provided a scientific basis for the drying of the Taxodium hybrid ‘zhongshanshan’.