Moisture Content and Specific Gravity of The Four Major Southern Pines Under The Same Age and Site Conditions

Authors

  • Mark D. Gibson
  • Charles W. McMillin
  • Eugene Shoulders

Keywords:

Moisture content, specific gravity, root, stem, branch, southern pine, loblolly pine, slash pine, longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, species comparison, site

Abstract

Slash, loblolly, longleaf, and shortleaf pines in northern Louisiana were examined for differences in moisture content (MC) and basic specific gravity (SG) of wood and bark in the complete tree, root, stem, and branches and differences in diameter at breast height (dbh), total height, and taproot length of trees in even-aged plantations under identical site conditions, planting densities, and management practices. The four species did not differ statistically in stemwood, branchwood, or complete-tree wood SG on any of the three sites examined (wet, intermediate, and dry). Shortleaf had a significantly higher rootwood SG on all sites. The wet site generally produced wood with a lower SG, and the dry site produced wood with a higher SG. Differences among species in MC appeared dependent upon the tree component and site condition, while intersite differences in MC were generally component and species dependent. No significant difference among the four species was detected for dbh, total height, or taproot length on the dry or intermediate site. Shortleaf on the wet site produced a significantly shorter stem and taproot than the other species. Tallest trees grew on the intermediate site.

References

Cole, D. E., B. J. Zobel, and J. H. Roberds. 1966. Slash, loblolly, and longleaf pine in a mixed natural stand; a comparison of their wood properties, pulp yields, and paper properties. TAPPI 49(4): 161-166.nPhillips, D. R., A. Clark, III, and M. A. Taras. 1976. Wood and bark properties of southern pine branches. Wood Sci. 8(3): 164-169.nShoulders, E. 1983. Comparison of growth and yield of four southern pines on uniform sites in the Gulf Coastal Plain. Pages 75-100 in J. E. Hotvedt and B. D. Jackson, eds. Predicting growth and yield in the mid-south. Proceedings of the 31st Annual Forestry Symposium, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.nSnyder, E. B., and J. M. Hamaker. 1970. Specific gravity and fiber length of loblolly and spruce pines on the same site. USDA Forest Service Res. Note SO-103, Southern Forest Exp. Sta., New Orleans, LA. 3 pp.nSteel, R. G. D., and J. H. Torrie. 1980. Principles and procedures of statistics: A biometrical approach, 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, New York. 633 pp.nU.S. Division of Timber Management Research. 1965. Silvics of forest trees of the United States. Compiled and revised by H. A. Fowells. Agriculture Handbook No. 271. USDA, Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 762 pp.nWahlgren, H. E., and D. R. Schumann. 1975. Properties of major southern pines: Part I—Wood density survey. USDA Forest Service Res. Pap. FPL-176. 57 pp.n

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Published

2007-06-28

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Section

Research Contributions