Latin America Project

About the project

The Latin America Project is funded by the US Forestry Service, and is a collaborative effort between Kew Gardens, the US Forestry Service, FSC and Agroisolab.

The Latin American project, like the US Oak Project, will generate collections of physical samples to directly benefit the range of emerging forensic methods, such as stable isotope ratio analysis (SIRA), wood anatomy, metabolomics, and DNA-based technologies.

Due to the need to better regulate illegal logging and deforestation within Latin America, particularly in expensive and rare hardwoods, this project will aim to gain reference samples of Meliacea Switenia Spp and Meliacea Cedrella Spp as well as other species from 4 Latin American countries (Peru, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua) from legitimate, sustainable FSC managed forests. These reference samples will be used to describe the geographic variation in timbers within the whole countries.

Honduras flag pattern on the fabric text

Nicaragua flag pattern on the fabric tex

Guatemala flag pattern on the fabric tex

Collecting reference samples

For the Latin America reference sampling project, there are two different methods for collecting samples in the field – collecting wooden plugs with use of the Pickering Punch kit, and collecting wooden disc sections with use of a chainsaw. All samples must be collected, handled, stored and delivered according to the guidelines described in the Standard Sampling Protocol.

Further details can be found in the materials:

Reference Sample Guide
Instructions on How to Use the Pickering Punch
Instructions on How to Register Observations and Data on Tree Snap

After selection of which sampling technique to be used, collectors are required to secure a sampling kit consisting of:

A signed Sampling Acknowledgement and Consent Form from each certificate holder who must acknowledge and accept the sampling process on their site/property
A proforma for the Collection of Reference Samples, which can be completed on site or immediately before delivery to local point of contact
Mobile phone (with downloaded app) and charger(s)
Markers/pens
Sheets of newspapers/wrapping paper or other containment material as needed for the disc slice/leaves/twigs/flowers/fruits

Types of sample to be collected

Option A - Wooden plug

The wooden plug is collected through using the Pickering Punch. The concept behind the Punch is that a metal tube is driven into a tree using a small sledge hammer, and a wooden plug is extracted through use of an attached slide hammer.

If you are sampling wooden plugs, you will need:

A Pickering Punch kit
A sledge hammer
Coin envelopes (1 per plug)
Ziplock plastic bags (13x11” / 33.02 x 45.72cm) to place envelopes with plugs inside
Silica gel beads (30g inside each ziplock bag) to extract moisture from the plug and keep the sample dry

Option B - Wooden disc cross-section

The wooden disc is collected from a tree with a chainsaw. Please remember to use correct safety equipment when collecting these samples.

If you are sampling wooden discs, you will need:

A chainsaw
Newspaper and tape to wrap the discs

Minimum viable samples

Stable isotope analysis requires the collection of minimum viable samples which consist of:

Two plugs collected via the Pickering Punch or two discs extracted by chainsaw from the same tree
For identified species of tree: two leaves and/or two branches from the same tree that have at least two leaves attached to them

Extraction methods

Wooden plug

Hammer the Pickering Punch into the target tree at around waist-height. Any higher could lead to inadequate force needed to drive the punch into the tree
Unscrew the cap, and then screw the slide-hammer onto the bar and remove it from the trunk with sliding motions
Replace the safety cap and remove the sample

Insert each plug into its own individual envelope (please ensure that only one sample is placed in each envelope)
Place envelope in a ziplock bag with 30 grams of silica gel
Write down sample information on each envelope: Species, common name, GPS coordinates
As needed, obtain 2 leaves or branches with at least 2 leaves attached to them
Wrap each leaf or branch in newspaper and, depending on the characteristics of the sample, press them so that they dry more easily
Identify the GPS location of the tree using the application and selecting ‘Observation – Other’ option
Fill in the information fields with all the necessary comments and data
Take photographs of the tree, trunk, surroundings, soil, and the collected samples

Disc/Cookies

Extract the disc with a chainsaw
The dimensions should be: W: 2cm, L: 10cm, thickness: 5cm
The disc can be cut transversely, as long as the core portions are included
Include all cores in the disc, if the tree has multiple cores
Wrap each splinter/crosscut of the disc and label it for identification
As needed, obtain 2 leaves or branches with at least 2 leaves attached to them
Wrap each leaf or branch in newspaper and, depending on the characteristics of the sample, press them so that they dry more easily
Identify the GPS location of the tree using the application and selecting ‘Observation – Other’ option
Fill in the information fields with all the necessary comments and data
Take photographs of the tree, trunk, surroundings, soil, and the collected samples

General sample collection considerations

All samples must be labelled with a unique sample number
Samples must be protected or dried to avoid damage or decomposition when being transported and delivered
The collector must ensure that the tree and collected sample does not show signs of infestation or infection
If the application cannot be accessed, GPS coordinates and the proforma sampling format must be used to manually record data at the sampling site
Ensure that the samples are only from identified species
If possible, the leaf samples should be collected from the same tree from which the sample is taken. If not possible, record the location of the sample site and use leaves of the same species but with a different location (making sure to note that leaves of a different location have been used)

Collecting samples

Chainsaw Sampling

If a tree can be felled, and you are an experienced chainsaw operator, use a chainsaw to obtain the sample. Choose a tree over 8” wide, fell the tree and cut a ‘cookie’ cross section across the trunk.

This is the ideal sample for many technologies as it shows the growth history of the tree, contains a living layer, and reflects the structure of the timber for the species.

Tools required

Chainsaw
Sample bags (e.g. large sealable freezer bags)

Leaf Sampling

Two types of leaf sample are needed to be taken. One for identifying the species of the tree, the second is for DNA research., DNA and anatomical analyses benefit from having samples of both leaves and seeds (where it is possible to sample seeds).

Please take leaves from a tree that are still attached to the stalk/twig.

Place your sample for anatomical identification (sample 1.2, see above) in newspaper/tissue paper inside a sealable bag.

Place your DNA sample in the sealable bag with silica gel (see sample 1.3, above).

Tools required

20-30g silica gel for 2-3 leaves
Permeable bags (e.g. two-sided CD cases sealed with masking tape
Sample bags

Video guide to sample collection

For further information about how to take samples for the Latin America Project, we've made some videos explaining about the samples that should be obtained for the project.

If you would like to know more about timber origin analysis, or how Agroisolab verifies the origin of timber, have a look at our timber page where we explain the science behind origin testing in timber in more detail.