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Timber Testing Techniques

A guide to laboratory techniques to determine species and origin of timber products

Thematic article series no. 1 Published February 2017

Disclaimers

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. Developed by NEPCon under the project “Supporting

Legal Timber Trade” funded by the EU LIFE This material has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s programme and UK Aid from the UK government. official policies.

Supporting Legal Timber Trade Thematic Article Series

Contents Powerful tools for timber legality: New laboratory techniques that 0. Introduction 3 help verify the origin and species 1. Wood anatomy analysis 5 of your timber materials 1.1. Macroscopic analysis 6

1.2 Microscopic analysis 9 Timber legality legislation, such as the EU Timber 2. DNA analysis 11 Regulation, the US Lacey Act and the Australian 3. Stable isotope analysis 17 Illegal Logging Prohibition Act, have increased the need for industry, government agencies and other 4. List of laboratories 23 stakeholders to be able to identify the species and 5. References and notes 25 origin of timber used in wood-based products. This is 11 now even easier through the use of sophisticated laboratory techniques which have been adapted for use on wood and paper products. Such tests provide powerful independent verification of claims made by suppliers regarding the species of materials and their geographic origin. This Thematic Article provides an overview of the dominant scientific tests being used by industry and how they can help you to identify and control risk in your supply chain.

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0. Introduction: your supplier’s statements are true and that their documents are Which risks can be legitimate. detected using There are many innovative scientific testing methods timber testing becoming available to the timber sector. Here we explore the three techniques? most prevalent commercially available methods: Conducting due diligence on timber supply chains can be 1. Wood anatomy (macro- and tricky. To ensure your products microscopic) analysis are not at risk of including illegal 2. DNA analysis timber, a range of factors need to 3. Stable isotope analysis be assessed. Chief among these are the risks associated with the The technique to choose depends tree species included in products on the type of product being and the origin of the wood. tested and the information you Species and origin information is are seeking to verify (origin or often key to indicating legality, species) – see Figure 1. because high-value and endangered species are more at It should be noted that the risk of illegal harvesting, and validity and robustness of the some countries and regions are results are not guaranteed and well-known for corruption and rely on a range of factors such as poor law enforcement. When number of samples taken, quality collecting information to indicate of the laboratory and availability Figure 1: Timber testing techniques based on World Resources Institute’s original graphic from this blogpost legality of your timber products of reference samples. When http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/09/4-cutting-edge-technologies-catch-illegal-loggers (WRI, 2015) you will usually rely on supplier undertaking such testing it is statements and supporting important to clearly outline your documentation. Now laboratory needs to the laboratory and to ask techniques can offer independent about the benefits and limitations verification of these claims and of your chosen method. give you improved confidence that

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1.1 Macroscopic analysis porous, while white oaks have Macroscopic analysis involves pores which are plugged with 3 using the wood grain and larger tyloses . anatomical features of wooden Wood samples with the unaided eye or a Pores can be studied to hand lens. The technique is quick distinguish East Indian rosewood to conduct, requires limited (Dalbergia latifolia) from Brazilian expertise and is very useful for rosewood (Dalbergia nigra). East Anatomy providing at least an indication of Indian rosewood has about twice the species group involved. For as many pores per square inch as example, red and white oak Brazilian rosewood. Figures 2 and 4 species can be distinguished using 3 from the Wood Database show Analysis the naked eye by looking at the the differences, with Brazilian endgrain (transverse plane). The rosewood having well-spaced pores found in the growth rings of pores and East Indian rosewood red oak species are open and having much more densely packed pores.5 Wood anatomy analysis uses characteristic differences in wood grain, pores and colour to verify timber to ge- nus or sub-genus level.

Tree can be identified down to the level of genus or sub-genus based on macro and microscopic wood anatomy. Observations of the wood are taken in three plane—transverse, radial and tangential—to create a 3D picture of the wood structure. Differences in struc- tural elements between samples can be identified and used to identify the wood species by comparing the structure to libraries of reference material. Reference databases are continually expanding and many are now freely accessible online (e.g. CITESwoodID1 and Figure 2: Brazilian rosewood Figure 3: East Indian rosewood InsideWood2), especially for CITES-listed species.

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Similarly, when looking at the identifying groups of species as Guide to macroscopic analysis transverse plane of oak, it may be opposed to individual species. It possible to distinguish small dark can only be used for solid wood brown streaks (called ‘rays’). Red products, not for composite oak species usually have short products (e.g. MDF, OSB, paper). rays of between 3mm and 13mm Origin cannot be determined by (though occasionally up to 25mm macroscopic analysis. in length), whereas white oak Limitations of macroscopic When to use this method These tests may be conducted by analysis species have much longer rays, an experienced staff member frequently exceeding 19mm. internally. Alternatively, most When you want a cheap, However, macroscopic techniques laboratories offering microscopic Only used to identify are limited by the visibility of testing can also provide species (not origin) rough-and-ready in- identifiable elements with the macroscopic analysis. Only used to identify house check. naked eye or hand lens. This broad groups of species method is only suitable for When origin does not (e.g. white oaks vs red need to be verified. oaks). For groups of species Cannot be used on com- which have unique posite products (paper, anatomical features. MDF, oriented strand board). When broad distinction between groups of species is acceptable. Costs

EUR 100 – 450.

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1.2 Microscopic analysis Microscopic analysis can be used Guide to microscopic analysis for most solid wood specimens, Microscopic identification involves including very thin veneer layers looking at small anatomical (thickness <0.20 mm) and wood structures of wood, such as chips. It can also be used for tracheids and vessels using a light some composite products (e.g. Limitations of microscopic When to use this method microscope. plywood, chipboard, oriented analysis strand board). The utility of Microscopic analysis is usually microscopic analysis is limited for Only used to identify species When origin does not need adequate to identify a wood products in which the structural (not origin). to be verified. sample to the genus or sub-genus elements required for level but not to the level of identification are very small and Only used to identify broad For groups of species which individual species. This means, for for products which have been groups of species (e.g. have unique anatomical example, a sample could be significantly physically or white oaks vs red oaks). features. identified as oak (Genus: chemically altered. This includes Quercus) or as one of the white particleboard, wood-plastic When broad distinction oak species (e.g. Quercus alba, Q. Composite products with composites, wood flour and some between species groups is robur, Q. ilex, etc.), but can not types of fibreboard. The Centre very small particles may not acceptable. be identified as to which of the for Wood Anatomy Research of be able to be tested (e.g. white oak species it is. For the US Forest Products Laboratory wood flour, some MDFs, Where you do not feel example, it would not identify if is currently working to improve particleboard, etc.) . confident enough to use the species is Quercus alba or microscopic techniques for these macroscopic techniques Quercus robur. product types (Wiedenhoeft, 2014). Anatomical uniqueness is yourself. The utility of microscopic testing also a limiting factor for Costs For analysis of composite was demonstrated in a 2015 study microscopic analyses. Closely- conducted by the UK Competent products (paper, MDF, OSB related timber species can be Costs for microscopic Authority for the EU Timber mistaken due to similar wood as well as solid woods). 6 analysis vary depending on Regulation . They looked at 13 anatomical pattern and structure samples of Chinese plywood e.g. Swietenia species (WWF, whether you are seeking to purchased from UK companies 2011). These limitations have led test a solid wood or using microscopic testing and to the use of the techniques composite product. Test found that the species contained described below, which can prices typically range from within nine of the samples did not provide more accurate data on €80–150 per sample for match the species declaration species and origin.ns solid wood samples and supplied by the company (Pillet & Sawyer, 2015). €120–150 per sample for composite products.

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There are three main ways DNA origin can be identified with much

analysis can be used: greater accuracy. DNA analysis can typically identify samples to 1. Species identification: Where the species level e.g. Quercus DNA the aim is to distinguish one mongolica, while microscopic species (or group of species) from testing can typically only identify another species (or group of the genus (Quercus spp.) or sub- species). genus level (e.g. white oaks). This Analysis is useful where a company wishes 2. Population identification: Where to distinguish between closely the aim is to identify different related species—for example, to populations or sub-populations verify that a supplier is only using within a species – usually for the US oak, and not Chinese oak in purpose of identifying country or their supply chains. region of origin. Geographic origin may be verified to the level of a As with all techniques, genetic region, country or even analyses rely on the availability of DNA analysis compare genetic sequences between concession, depending on the a genetic reference database timber samples to determine the species or origin of species and available reference against which samples can be the wood. library. compared. The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) and Global Just as humans share more of our DNA in common 3. Individual log identification: Timber Tracking Network (GTTN) with chimps than with other animals, so trees and Where the aim is to identify the are at the forefront of efforts to passage of an individual tree catalogue genetic sequences for other plants that are more closely related share more through the supply chain from timber species (J. MacKay 2015, similar DNA. The DNA sequence of timber can be harvest, factory to end-product. pers. comm., 19 May 2015). Labs compared using genetic techniques. These can both This method can be used to such as the Thünen Institute distinguish a particular individual (Germany), University of Adelaide provide information on how similar two test samples (or clone) from others within the (Australia), TRACE Wildlife are to each other, and can compare a test sample to population. This technique is Forensics Network (UK) and known samples in a reference library. similar to the forensic DNA Naturalis Biodiversity Centre methods used in criminal courts of (Netherlands) all provide various law to identify perpetrators of a DNA testing services today. crime, by identifying the presence of an individual’s DNA.

One key benefit of DNA analysis is that species and geographical

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Figure 5: List of tree The technique was used to convict four people for stealing bigleaf genera which can be maple in a landmark prosecution identified using DNA under the US Lacey Act.

analysis DNA analysis is expensive and therefore only usually used for high value species. For due  Afzelia diligence purposes, the technique  Aningeria  Aucoumea could be used where specific  Baillonella harvest permits and plans clearly  Bulnesia record the precise GPS location or  Carapa tagged tree stump. A sample can  Cedrela then be taken from the identified  Cylicodiscus  Endospermum stump at the harvest site and  Entandrophragma sequenced. A second sample can  Erythrophleum then be taken from the purchased  Fitzroya product (sawnwood, solid  Gonystylus furniture, etc.) and sequenced. A  Guaiacum match between the two samples  Guibourtia  Hymenaea can verify that the product In 2011, the German customs reference library showed that DNA  Intsia purchased was harvested from the authorities seized timber techniques can be used to  Khaya stump declared on harvest shipments after DNA analysis determine the concession of  Larix documentation.  Lophira showed wood samples were harvest for merbau products (to mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni), within roughly 50km of origin)  Milicia  Millettia One of the disadvantages of this a CITES-listed species, rather (Double Helix, 2015).  Nauclea technique can be the success rate than the closely related non-  Neolamarckia of extracting testable DNA from CITES-listed species declared by Individual log identification can be  Pericopsis wood. Some labs report quite low  Pinus the importer (WWF, 2011). See used, for example, in the case of success rates whereas others, Figure 5 for a list of species for very valuable timber species,  Populus  Pterocarpus such as the University of Adelaide, which reference data are where the harvest location of each 7  Pterygoty report more success. It would available. tree is typically recorded.  Sequoja therefore seem advisable to ask  Swietenia labs what their success rates are  Tabebuia Population identification has also Individual log identification was before signing any contract with been used to create a DNA used by the Forest Research  Tectona  Terminalia them. reference library for merbau, Institute Malaysia for Ramin  Thuja using 2,707 samples from (Gonystylus bancanus) to match  Toona Age, drying methods, moulding, Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua individual logs to the stumps they  Triplochiton product type and species all affect  Quercus New Guinea (Geach, 2014). came from with a 99.9% accuracy the possibility of extracting usable Testing of samples against this (Lee et al., 2014). DNA.

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Guide for DNA analysis

Limitations of DNA analysis When to use this method

Limited reference data Where distinction between available (mostly CITES- closely related species is listed and high value required (e.g. Juglans regia species) – not all species or vs Juglans mandshurica). Highly processed products such as reference data required to conduct origins can be tested. Where identification of pulp, paper and fibreboard tests for your species and origins. frequently do not contain useable Figure 5 shows a list of tree Success rate for DNA harvest origin is required DNA (Crumley, 2014). genera for which DNA analysis is extraction is low (especially (region, country, or possible. for composite products and concession). DNA techniques are also limited old samples). by the number of reliable Laboratories tend to build their DNA barcodes sequenced for own private libraries of known Few laboratories offering different species. Fortunately, it is reference samples and sharing of commercial services, this data is low. Costs predicted that DNA barcodes for meaning costs are generally 20‐50 tree species will be high. Costs for DNA analysis vary sequenced each year, significantly When embarking upon DNA testing, it’s important to ask the depending on the aim of the increasing the number of species Reference data not open- that can be tested (Degen, 2013). laboratory the expected success test - costs increase for source. Population identification is limited rate for DNA extraction from species identification by the number of reliable genetic samples for your products. If the (lowest), population reference maps available for likelihood of extracting usable identification (mid-range), DNA is low, then it may be worth different species. It is predicted individual log identification that genetic maps for two to exploring alternative techniques. (highest). Test prices five tree species will be created typically range from 200 – each year (Degen, 2013). The € spatial resolution of genetic maps 600 per sample. is also a limiting factor which in the future may be improved through identification of more gene markers within each species.

You should check with different labs to identify if they have the

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This means that, because two eggs, wine, beef, caviar, fish and

trees growing in the same area other products of the food will take up similar water and industry. nutrients from the environment Stable isotope analysis was used Stable and incorporate them into their as part of WWF’s 2015 ‘Forests timber as they grow, they will Campaign’. Timber products were have similar isotope signatures to purchased from 17 companies in each other, but different the UK and tested by Agroisolab. Isotope signatures compared to trees grown hundreds or thousands of The lab used isotopic analysis to miles ‘away. In this way, isotopes determine the origin of products. mark where a particular tree has Eight out of 26 products tested Analysis been absorbing its water, air and contained wood with a different nutrients. This is true not only for origin to that declared by the tree species, but all living suppliers (WWF, 2015). organisms, because all organisms take in elements from their The Environmental Investigation Stable isotope analysis compares the ratios of surroundings as part of their Agency used this technique to common elements within timber samples to verify the growing processes. Figure 6 show that oak products being sold harvest origin. shows the stable isotope in the US and EU came from a signatures of timber samples from particular species of oak (Quercus Many common elements, such as carbon, hydrogen, different areas of Central America. mongolica) that had been harvested in the Russian Far East oxygen and nitrogen occur naturally in different While stable isotope analysis has where illegal logging is rampant forms, known as isotopes. These are absorbed and relatively recently been applied to (EIA, 2013). incorporated into the molecular structure of timber as timber, it has been used for years

trees grow from the soil, water and air. Isotopic to identify the provenance of

from WWF from Germany, 2011 differencesin teak (re analysis involves measuring natural variations in the Figure 6: Isotopeanalysis showing regional

ratio of these isotopes.

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printedwith permission

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Laboratories conducting stable Stable isotope analysis can only Guide to stable isotype analysis isotope analysis include help identify the origin of Agroisolab, The Reston Stable products, not the species. Isotope Laboratory (RSIL) and UK However, as verifying the origin of Food and Environment Research harvest is key in concluding low Agency (FERA) (CITES, 2014). risk for some supply chains, Limitations of stable isotope When to use this method Currently, reference data for isotope analysis is an extremely identifying origin is available for useful assessment tool. analysis the species shown in figure 7. Stable isotope analysis is not Only used to identify origin Where identification of Check with different labs to possible to use on complex (not species). harvest origin is required identify if they have the reference composite products such as (region, country, or data required to conduct tests for paper, MDF, chipboard, etc. It is Limited reference data concession). your species and origins. most often applied to solid wood available – not all origins Laboratories tend to build their products. Very thin veneers can be tested. own private libraries of known (<0.5mm) may not be possible to reference samples and sharing of test. However, ask laboratories Composite products (MDF, Costs this data is low. which products they can and paper) cannot be tested. cannot analyse. Few laboratories offering Costs for stable isotope commercial services, analysis vary depending on meaning the price is often the spatial scale – regional high. level (lowest), country level (mid-range), concession Reference data not open- level (highest). Test prices source. typically range from €400– 750 per sample.

Figure 7: Available reference data for identifying origin 20 21 Thematic Article no. 1

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Which laboratories currently Timber Test Laboratory

offer the timber testing services 1. Wood anatomy (macroscopic and microscopic) discussed above? Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (UK) http://www.kew.org/

Thünen Institute (Germany) https://www.thuenen.de/en/

Wood ID Lab (Italy) http://www.woodidlab.it/

Innovation Environmental (UK) http:// There are a number of commercial, government and www.innovationpropertyuk.com/

semi-government authorities which offer testing Test-Tech (UK) http://www.test-tech.co.uk/ services for timber and paper samples. Some of these IPS Testing (USA) https://ipstesting.com/ laboratories are shown in figure 8 on the next page. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) (Malaysia) http://www.frim.gov.my/ This list below is non-exhaustive, especially for wood USDA Forest Products Laboratory http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/ anatomy testing, which is conducted by many laboratories around the world. 2. DNA analysis Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (UK) http://www.kew.org/

Thünen Institute (Germany) https://www.thuenen.de/en/

Naturalis Biodiversity Centre (Netherlands) http://www.naturalis.nl/

FERA http://fera.co.uk/

Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) http://www.frim.gov.my/

IBL (Forestry Research Institute) (Poland) http://www.ibles.pl/

USDA Forest Products Laboratory http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/

Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ Biodiversity, University of Adelaide directory/andrew.lowe DoubleHellix http://www.doublehelixtracking.com/

3. Stable isotope analysis

Agroisolab (UK & Germany) http://www.agroisolab.com/

FERA http://fera.co.uk/

Reston Stable Isotope Laboratory http://isotopes.usgs.gov/

Figure 8: Timber Testing Laboratories

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Want to know more about carrying out risk assessments and tracking timber?

NEPCon is hosting free one-day training sessions to help companies meet the EU Timber Regulation requirements. We will cover how to carry out risk assessments and how to mitigate risks. The training sessions will be held in autumn 2017 in the following countries: Denmark, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Hungary.

Forest legality experts will guide you through different techniques and methods for doing risk assessments and how to www.nepcon.org/eutr-registration-form minimize the risk of illegal timber entering your supply chain.

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References Notes

 Boner, 2013; Genetic and Isotopic Fingerprinting methods – practical tools to 1. More info ftp://delta-intkey.com/citesw/en/intro.htm verify the declared origin of wood. Documentation of the international 2. More info insidewood.lib.ncsu.edu conference. Eschborn 3-4 Nov 2010. GIZ, Bonn. 3. More info http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/distinguishing-red-  CITES, 2014; Twenty-first meeting of the Plants Committee, Veracruz oak-from-white-oak/ (Mexico), 2-8 May 2014, Interpretation and implementation of the 4. More info http://www.wood-database.com/ Convention, Trade control and marking, DEVELOPMENT OF A TIMBER 5. More info http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/distinguishing- IDENTIFICATION DIRECTORY FOR CITES-LISTED SPECIES, PC21 Doc. 15. brazilian-rosewood-from-east-indian-and-other-rosewoods/ CITES, Geneva. 6. More info: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/  Crumley, 2014; An Overview of FSC’s Fiber Testing Pilot. FSC International, attachment_data/file/402325/Chinese_Plywood_Research_Report.pdf Bonn. 7. Andrew Loew, University of Adelaide, personal communication  Degen, 2013; Application of DNA fingerprints to control tree species and geographic origin of timber. Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics, Braunschweig.  Double Helix, 2015; Mapping Merbau. http://www.naturesbarcode.com/ mapping-merbau [Accessed: 4th June 2015]. Double Helix Tracking Technologies, Singapore.  EIA, 2013; Liquidating the Forests. Hardwood Flooring, Organized Crime and World’s Last Siberian Tigers. Environmental Investigation Agency, Washington DC.  Geach, 2014; DNA Analysis Can Reshape Thinking on Supply Chains, in Forest Legality Alliance Newsletter, Feb 2014, Issue 14. Forest Legality Alliance, USA.  J. MacKay 2015, pers. comm., 19 May.  Lee et al., 2014; DNA profiling databases to verify the legality of suspected timbers. Forest Resource Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.  Meier, E. (2016) Hardwood Anatomy http://www.wood-database.com/wood- articles/hardwood-anatomy/ [Accessed: 27th June 2016]. http://www.wri.org/ blog/2015/09/4-cutting-edge-technologies-catch-illegal-loggers  Pillet & Sawyer, 2015; EUTR: Plywood imported from China. Project prepared for DEFRA. National Measurements Office, London.  R. Langley 2015, pers. comm., 16 March.  Wiedenhoeft, 2014; A short report on the feasibility of using fiber testing for wood-composite materials. FSC International, Bonn.  WRI, 2015; 4 Cutting-Edge Technologies to Catch Illegal Loggers. A blogpost from World Resources Institute about technologies to combat illegal timber. http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/09/4-cutting-edge-technologies-catch-illegal- loggers. (Published September 07, 2015)  WWF, 2011; Fighting illegal logging through the introduction of a combination of the isotope method for identifying the origins of timber and DNA analysis for differentiation of tree species. WWF-Germany, Berlin.  WWF, 2015; Do Timber Products in the UK Stack Up? A report on the results of testing selected retail products that aren't covered by the EU Timber Regulation. WWF-UK, London.

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About Supporting Legal Timber Trade

Supporting Legal Timber Trade is a joint initiative run by NEPCon NEPCon (Nature Economy and People The Global Timber Forum (GTF) supports and the Global Timber Forum with the aim of supporting timber- Connected) is an international, the initiative “Supporting Legal Timber related companies in Europe with knowledge, tools and training in non-profit organisation that builds Trade” in an advisory capacity and the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation. Knowing your commitment and capacity for provides technical support. Global Timber timber’s origin is not only good for the forests, but good for mainstreaming sustainability. Together Forum facilitates specific coalitions business. The joint initiative is funded by the LIFE Programme of the with our partners, we foster solutions between forest & wood-based industries European Union and UK Aid from the UK Government. for safeguarding our natural resources and relevant stakeholders to tackle and protecting our climate. shared challenges in delivering responsibly sourced and traded products. NEPCon | The Global Timber Forum | [email protected] | www.nepcon.org [email protected] | www.gtf-info.com