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Modeling wood properties of planted Loblolly pine from pith to bark and stump to tip

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Variation in wood properties follows identifiable patterns within individual trees of Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.j. Wood properties were sampled from disks cut at 1.52 m intervals from 131 mature trees across the natural range of the species. Wood property and mensurational data were used to develop predictive models describing the distribution of key wood properties in three dimensions. Patterns of wood density are described ring-by-ring from thc pith to bark and vertically from stump to tip using mathematical models derived from wood sheath increment. A three parameter Logistic function describes the sigmoid curve of latewood specific gravity from pith to bark. By making the Logistic parameters functions of height, a three-dimensional model was developed which describes thc changes in latewood specific gravity within the tree. Identifying and predicting properties of the juvenile core and thc transition to mature wood are examined. The availability of such models can lead to improved merchandizing decisions for trees and logs and to improved wood quality estimates from forest inventories.

Citation

Daniels, Richard F.; Rechun, H.E.; Clark, Alexander, III; Souther, Ray A. 2002. Modeling wood properties of planted Loblolly pine from pith to bark and stump to tip. In: Proceedings of the Fourth Workshop-Connection between Forest Resources and Wood Quality: Modelling Approaches and Simulation Software, September 8-15, British Columbia, Canada, p. 1-4
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/20116