Improving wood production of subtropical pines

Improving wood production of subtropical pines

Friday 23 Mar 2012

Australia’s sub-tropical plantations of slash pine (Pinus elliottii), Caribbean pine (P. caribaea), and their hybrids—the preferred tree species over the last decade—are important sources of high quality timber, but which of these species have the best wood properties that will help growers get the best financial returns?

A new project has analysed growth and wood property data across two sub-tropical plantation sites. Trees were managed under a number of different commercial thinning regimes and were assessed for the wood properties of density, stiffness and spiral grain.

Findings show slash pine has a higher density than Caribbean pine, and the hybrid has densities between the two parents. Slash pine also increases in density at a faster rate. Spiral grain comparisons showed slash pine had the least desirable grain angle values, while the hybrid angles were between their parents or similar to Caribbean pine. The hybrids tended to have wood stiffness values similar to slash pine. Acoustic velocity measurements show slash pine values are not changed much by stocking rate, whereas hybrid and Caribbean pine velocities reduce when grown at high stocking rates. This suggests they may be more affected by site conditions.

For full details on the story and link to the study, check out the latest R&D Works Newsletter

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