Variation in selected solid wood properties of young <i>Pinus patula</i> from diverse sites in the Mpumalanga escarpment area in South Africa

Muller, B; Louw, Josua; Malan, F. S.

doi:10.2989/00306525.2016.1255376

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 34 publications

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“…In response to wood quality concerns, initial research in South Africa focussed on establishing the current resource characteristics and variation of mechanical and physical properties of wood, as well as the non-destructive prediction thereof (Wessels et al 2011(Wessels et al , 2014(Wessels et al , 2015bDowse and Wessels 2013;Muller et al 2017). Much like international research (Moore and Cown 2017;Schimleck et al 2018), these studies clearly indicate that the nature of wood material from modern plantations has changed and that certain forest management interventions should be considered in order to improve wood quality-particularly stiffness properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The flexural lumber properties of Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. improve with decreasing initial tree spacing

Erasmus

Drew

Wessels

2020

Annals of Forest Science

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& Key message An increase in the stiffness of lumber with a decrease in initial tree spacing was confirmed for Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. The underlying properties of microfibril angle, wood density and knot frequency explained 71% of the variation in lumber stiffness. Tree spacing also influenced wood properties independent of radial growth rate. & Context Rapid growth rates and reduced harvesting ages of South African-grown pine plantations have caused a reduction in the stiffness of structural lumber, which accounts for about 75% of all sawn wood. Microfibril angle and wood density are known to influence wood stiffness, which may be manipulated by the growing space of trees. & Aims The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of slower growth rates, caused by narrow tree spacing, on the suitability of Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. wood for structural lumber. & Methods An 18-and a 19-year-old spacing experiment with four levels of initial tree spacing (1.83 m × 1.83 m, 2.35 m × 2.35 m, 3.02 m × 3.02 m and 4.98 m × 4.98 m) were sampled. Linear and non-linear mixed-effects models were developed to examine the effect of tree spacing on the quality of wood and lumber as defined by the modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture and knot frequency of 208 boards and the ring-level microfibril angle and wood density of 86 radial strips. & Results Wood and lumber quality improved with decreasing spacing, and only the narrowest spacing had lumber that conformed to the requirements of the lowest South African structural grade. Microfibril angle, wood density and knot frequency explained 71% of the variation of lumber stiffness. After accounting for ring width differences, there remained a significant effect of initial spacing on the parameters of models predicting microfibril angle and wood density. & Conclusion Wide initial spacing is discouraged if higher strength grades are desired for Pinus patula lumber.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The flexural lumber properties of Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. improve with decreasing initial tree spacing

Erasmus

Drew

Wessels

2020

Annals of Forest Science

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Predicting temperature and rainfall for plantation forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa, using locally developed climate models

Merwe

Wang

Clarke

et al. 2023

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

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The impact of climate on the dominant height and climate thresholds for P. elliottii, P. taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii plantation forests

van der Merwe,

Lindner,

Ernst

et al. 2024

Can. J. For. Res.

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Plantation forests were introduced into South Africa to satisfy the regional demand for wood-based products, which are largely found in the Mpumalanga province. To better understand the impacts of climate on the dominant height growth of commercially important plantation species, enumeration data collected from 2012 to 2023 was scrutinised, representing 34740 plots in 2082 plantation compartments. Statistically significant multiple linear regression models were developed to predict dominant heights for Pinus elliottii, Pinus taeda, Pinus patula, and Pinus patula x Pinus tecunumanii hybrids using climate variables as independent factors. Mean annual maximum temperature was statistically significant when modelling dominant height for P. elliottii, while winter maximum temperature was significant for P . taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii. Rainfall was found to be significant for P. elliottii and P. taeda, while spring rainfall was found to be more important when modelling dominant height for P. patula. Interestingly, autumn rainfall was found to have a negative impact on dominant height growth of P. taeda and P. patula, while rainfall was not significant in P. patula x P. tecunumanii. The findings imply that the southern pines have water thresholds, while Mexican pines are more temperature limited than water limited.

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Variation in selected solid wood properties of young Pinus patula from diverse sites in the Mpumalanga escarpment area in South Africa

Cited by 6 publications

References 34 publications

The flexural lumber properties of Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. improve with decreasing initial tree spacing

The flexural lumber properties of Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. improve with decreasing initial tree spacing

Predicting temperature and rainfall for plantation forestry in Mpumalanga, South Africa, using locally developed climate models

The impact of climate on the dominant height and climate thresholds for P. elliottii, P. taeda, P. patula, and P. patula x P. tecunumanii plantation forests

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