Xylarium

XYLARIUM

History and scientific assumptions.

The Xylarium of the University of Tuscia is a research and didactic collection that comes together with tests for the recognition of timber examination of Wood Technology and related subjects. The collection was later enriched with thesis of first and second college level research materials. This collection started in the early years of the University of Tuscia, when the founder of Xylarium, Professor Elio Corona, was still in service. The scientific knowledge basis of the material stored are framed in activities that were aimed at the characterization wood quality and its dating. Scientific investigations are conducted on samples of wood anatomy, dendrochronology, characterization of physical, chemical, and mechanical properties.

Description of the material

The collection is composed of photographs, samples and specimens, and microscopic slides of wood related to different wood species. They are actually wood that belong to species distributed in the national context in the Alps and Apennines as well as typical from the Mediterranean vegetation, called macchia mediterranea. There is also a small collection of wood imported from Africa, Asia, America, and Oceania.

The material is organized as follows:

– Horizontal cross sections of monumental trees on which is also marked the age or date of the growth rings in relation to historically important events, after an analysis of dendrochronological (photo 1);

– Samples of different shape and size in which it is possible to distinguish the most representative elements of the xylem structure (sapwood, heartwood, snails, false and double rings, burrs, etc.), defects (knots, direction of wood, resin pockets, etc..), and types of biological attack by insects, fungi and marine animals. (fig. 2);

– An index of small sized sample. Not all of these are in the standard format of xylem collections, which is on average 15 x 7 x 1 cm;

– The microscopic slides are placed in an istoteca. The microscopic characteristics of the material allow the identification of the wood type (photo 3), as well as research on the forms of degradation of the cell wall and also on the original structure to determine the quality of some industrial products derived from wood (paper, fiberboard etc.);

– Samples of historical, archaeological, and archaeobotanical interest, in which there is a clear deterioration due to carbonization aging phenomena, coalification, and fossilization;

– Samples that come out of processing industries (panels, engineered floors, laminated etc.);

Organization of the material

On larger horizontal cross sections of the trees, the woods’ place of origin, type, and, when known, the date the tree was knocked down are shown. Some samples are placed in cabinets primarily for educational purposes. Smaller samples are given a code that represents the initials of the Latin genus and species of the plant and a number that relates it to its cabinet of origin. The slides are cataloged in alphabetical order.

Access

Students assiduously attend the Xylarium, especially the ones who have to take the Wood Technology exam. The collection is currently located in the Department DAFNE at the Laboratory of Wood Technology along with other samples that are subject of active research. It is possible to schedule a visit on request.

Xylarium (DIBAF), Tuscia University of Viterbo
Prof. Manuela Romagnoli
Tel. 0761.357399 – mail mroma@unitus.it