Effects of silviculatural treatments on mechanical properties of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantations

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the influences of initial planting densities, thinning intensities, exposures and slope sites on physical property (wood density) and mechanical properties such as modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength, impact strength, compression strength along grain and hardness) of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantation in Mao’ershan Forest Farm, Northeast China. Results show that the different initial planting densities (1.5 m×1.0 m, 1.5 m×2.0 m and 1.5 m×2.5 m) had significant effects on wood density and MOE, and the highest mean wood density and indexes of mechanical properties occurred in the stand with an initial planting density of 1.5 m×1.0 m. The indexes of mechanical properties such as hardness of end, bending strength, MOE and compression strength along grain of wood increased after mild thinning, but decreased after violent thinning. The exposures (sunny slope and shady slope) had a significant effect on MOE, and the highest mean MOE occurred on sunny slope. The slope sites (upper site and lower site) had a significant effect on wood density and main mechanical properties, except hardness. The highest mean wood density and mechanical properties occurred at lower site.

Keywords

Silvicultural treatments / Plantation / Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica / Mechanical properties