Naval stores tree stimulation

Increases in yield of naval stores are brought about by chemical treatment of the exposed wood, especially with paraquat herbicides (dipyridyl compounds). This treatment stimulates extensive oleoresin formation and diffusion into the wood, extending to the pith of the tree and several feet above the treatment level. As much as 40 percent oleoresin content in the wood has been produced. Such treatment could double naval stores production, for both gum and sulfate processes. It also has the potential of providing a new type of wood naval stores by solvent extraction prior to kraft pulping, or a combination of both methods. 

Major Uses of Naval Stores and Their Trends Rosins Turpentine Fatty Acid Tree Stimulation... 

A very significant discovery was reported in 1973 by USDA scientists at Olustee, Fla. (41). Naval store yields from coniferous trees can be dramatically stimulated by a simple spray of paraquat and diquat-quaternary compounds near the bases of the trees a year or two prior to harvesting. 

An industry-government laboratory joint task force was organized in late 1973 to conduct further investigations in various apsects of tree stimulation. Included in the study are forestry biology, environmental impact, government regulations, solvent extraction, and sulfate pulping of trees treated with the quaternary compounds. Renewed interest in wood naval stores arose as this scheme would produce inexhaustible supplies of oleoresln-soaked wood. 

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