Timber-frame buildings are an important architectural heritage of China, and they play a pivotal role in Chinese architectural history. However the restoration of wood components in ancient buildings has gained significant importance in recent years. Based on the modular theory of ancient Chinese architecture this research includes a case study on the Shenyang Imperial Palace, in order to determine a correlation between the volume of large-size wood parts and the building areas. Linear regression equations have been derived to estimate the volume of large-size wood parts efficiently, and the total volume of the large-size wood parts of the Shenyang Imperial Palace has been estimated as 2912.3 m 3 . It was found that the regression equations for the flush gable roof type buildings are accurate and can be applied not only to the case study in particular but also to other buildings as well. Finally, determining the volume will bridge the communication gap between the people concerned with restoration and the timber suppliers, which is an increasing concern in China with regard to preservation of ancient buildings and historical monuments.

The assessment of information relating to the spatial patterns of individual trees is becoming an increasingly important aspect of forest research and practical forestry. Numerous methods have been proposed over the years, with foresters preferring rapid methods able to provide statistically confident information. The Mean of Angles is one of the simplest of these methods. It is applicable for revealing complete spatial randomness (CSR) or the presence of clustering or regularity. We have tested the potential of the arithmetic mean of angles to serve as a practical measure of the degree of regularity or clustering. This study was conducted by applying random point sampling in various simulated theoretical point populations. The Mean of Angles method deserves consideration as a practical option for examining the spatial patterns of trees in forests. We suggest that the arithmetic mean of angles cannot be completely relied upon for indexing spatial patterns, but this deficiency can be overcome by examining the frequency distributions of angular measurements.

Wood traditionally used for soundboards of acoustic musical instruments such as violins or pianos is an exceptionally rare natural resource. Sustainability of its supply is not only faced with risks associated with long periods of growth but also with illegal logging and uncertainties linked with a change in the climate. Although the challenge to sustain supplies of resonance wood is certainly very high, sustainable supply of certain amounts of legally certified resonance wood is feasible. We will certainly lose a significant element of culture if we don't give a try to manage at least a few forest stands for the main purpose of producing this resonance wood.

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