Determination of the piezoelectric properties of wood, the variation of electrical potential in living trees, and its effects on their physiological properties

In this study, the electrical potential properties of wood materials and standing trees were examined from a multidimensional perspective. The research aimed to understand the effects of the physical properties of wood, wood anatomy, microscopic and macroscopic factors, and wood defects on piezoelectric behavior, as well as the dynamics of electrical potential formation in standing trees and the roles of geographical factors and phytohormones in this potential. In the study, the piezoelectric effect induced by pressure in wood materials was examined, while the changes in electrical potential observed in standing trees over one year were analyzed. The obtained data were statistically analyzed to explain the electrical potential variations in different wood materials and standing trees. As a result of the research, it was determined that the moisture content in the wood was a critical factor in the studies on the piezoelectric behavior of wooden materials. The highest piezoelectric performance was observed with poplar specimens prepared at moisture levels above the fiber saturation point, using dimensions of 3×3×9 cm and subjected to a force of 5000 N. It was observed that the Vrms values generally increased with rising moisture content and force application but plateaued and subsequently declined beyond a certain force threshold. At moisture levels above the fiber saturation point, the piezoelectric response peaked in areas with dense texture. Fiber waviness was found to influence piezoelectric behavior by 19.7%. The degree of crystallinity played a significant role in piezoelectric activity, accounting for 37% of the total variance. Additionally, ultimate analysis results indicated that nitrogen significantly affects piezoelectric performance, contributing to 98.98%. It was also revealed that knots in wood structures negatively impact the piezoelectric properties, explaining 78.29% of the total variance and substantially reducing the electrical response. In analyses of the electrical potential behaviors of standing trees, the effects of geographical and environmental factors revealed that the strongest relationship between electrical potential and environmental factors was observed with soil temperatures, showing a negative correlation of 27–29%. Monthly variations (22.92%) and tree species (19.70%) exhibited significant influences on electrical potential, with the interaction of temperature and months providing the highest contribution (22.33%). Further comprehensive studies examining the electrical potential behaviors of standing trees about phytohormones and geographical factors demonstrated that the effects of hormones on Vrms varied with environmental conditions and exhibited a non-linear relationship. Environmental factors such as temperature, solar radiation intensity, solar exposure duration, and soil temperature exert suppressive effects, particularly on phytohormones such as ABA, IAA, and Z, which negatively impacts Vrms. Increased solar radiation intensity reduced stress and growth hormone levels by more than 40%. Conversely, precipitation positively affected all hormones and electrical potential, suggesting that humid conditions promote hormonal balance and enhance piezoelectric performance. The interaction between hormones and months accounted for 61% of the variance. The effect of hormones on Vrms was observed to increase during the spring and summer due to active growth in wood cells, while it decreased during the winter due to reduced metabolic activities. This study has analyzed the electrical potential properties of wood materials and standing trees, establishing a strategic foundation for renewable energy and environmentally friendly technologies. The findings contribute to the theoretical literature while serving as a guiding framework for practical engineering applications.