Site Relationships for Some Wood Properties of Pine Species in Plantation Forests of Southern Africa

BACKGROUND

There are three main pine species that are planted in Southern African plantations. Genetic variation and its relationship with wood properties of pine wood has been extensively studied, however little is known about the influence of site on wood properties.

RESEARCH GOALS AND METHODS

To study the relationship of site with wood properties, environmental conditions and specific wood properties are examined. Wood properties under study, consist of density and spirality, the presence of defects such as heart shake, abnormal wood, and stem bumps. Inner, outer, mean density and density gradient are measured. Mean spirality is calculated using data from different ages. Stem bumps and heart shakes are also measured. Abnormal wood is examined using wood from four different sites.

CONCLUSIONS AND TAKEAWAYS

The authors state that, site plays a significant role in shaping pine wood and producing some defects in the wood.  Some site factors tend to affect a certain species more than others e.g., heart shake is more significant in P. elliottii. Therefore, improving site quality can lead to the production of stronger pine wood with less defects.