Demonstration of the database macroHOLZdata computer-aided identification and description of trade timbers

The knowledge about recognition and utilization of commercial timbers is of prime importance to timber trade and wood industry for the assessment of product quality. Furthermore, wood identification is important in enforcing the control of illegal logging according to the European Timber Regulation (EUTR) and CITES policies (KOCH ET AL. 2008). A valuable support for computer-aided wood identification based on macroscopic features is available by the database macroHOLZdata developed in the DELTA-INTKEY-System. The database enables the user to identify trade timbers by means of macroscopic wood structural features (RICHTER ET AL. 2003). Macroscopic structural features are those which can be observed with the unaided eye or with the help of a magnifying lens (about 6x to 12x). In addition to computer-aided identification this digital learning tool allows access to a data pool with timber specific information on properties, utilization, and other relevant characteristics of the timbers integrated in the database, i.e., data on biological, physical and mechanical properties, wood machining, wood processing, and appropriate end uses...