The Norwegian coast receives a substantial supply of drift wood. Although some may be of local origin, or derive from lost cargo, the major source is the Yenisei river of Siberia. From its estuary, wood is transported westwards with drifting ice, which thaws as it meets the warmer waters of the...

The liverwort Scapania apiculata (VU) is a redlisted species in Norway, and one of the species that is evaluated as threatened due to transformation of its habitat by constructions of small-scale hydroelectric power plants. Scapania apiculata only grows on rotting logs, and most occurrences are...

The processes by which timber can be damaged are summarized as mechanical, chemical, thermal (fire), and biological (fungi and insects); it is noted that a combination of these processes is often involved. Great emphasis is laid on the deleterious effect of dampness, with ventilation being a...

The Railway Bramble Rubus horrefactus (previously R. tuberculatus) is a very rare plant only known from a single locality in Norway, viz. the middle part of the Oslofjord (Moss parish in Østfold fylke). Here the author found the plant for the first time in July 2000 along the shore of the fjord...

The Institute maintained a high level of activity in 2005, when there were 36 employees and a turnover of 29.6 million Norwegian kroner; the accounts and balance sheet are presented. This private research association aims to promote the profitability of member companies (currently 150) by updating...

The decline in the business of the paper giant, Norske Skog, has resulted in severe financial losses in several companies who have large numbers of their shares. The situation is presented in detail for five of these companies: Allskog, Glommen, ATSkog, Mjøsen and Viken. Although some of these had...

This project deals with drying, moisture adjustment and measuring of moisture content of timber for use in log buildings. The performed drying tests, show that neither temperature level nor drying speed is of any big significance to the amount of shakes in the boards. A faster drying schedule...

The aim with these tests has been to find out how high the moisture content in the various layers of a solid wood element can be without undesirable checking in a dry climate as a result. Low moisture content in the top layer, and higher moisture content in the middle layers, gives good results....

The variations that can occur in timber, especially in the variable climate of Norway, can involve either shrinkage or swelling, both of which can have adverse effects either before or after use in construction. Examples of these variations with temperature and season and in different localities in ...

Contrary to opinions expressed in the 1990s, wooden surfaces (chopping boards, etc.) used in food preparation are as good as or better for food hygiene than those made of plastic or steel. Wooden surfaces were studied after experimental introduction of bacteria similar to those that can produce...