Selected properties of Blue spruce wood from non-forest land

• Main Authors: Vladimír Gryc, Hanuš Vavrčík, Ondřej Kotalík
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mendel University Press 2009-01-01
• Series: Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis
• Subjects: blue spruce; ring width; density; shrinkage; strength along the grain
• Online Access: https://acta.mendelu.cz/57/2/0037/

The aim of this work was to carry out a tree-ring analysis, to determine density, shrinkage and compressive strength parallel to the grain of Blue spruce (Picea pungens Engelm.) wood. Results of this work were specific due to the non-forest origin of the sample material that was from two solitaire trees. Tree ring analysis (determination of tree ring width and portion of latewood) was carried out on the transverse section of a stem that was taken at height of 0.3 m from the tree base. Wood properties were tested according to Czech technical standards.Trees showed wide tree rings (5.65 mm) with a small portion of latewood (12.55 %). Oven dry wood density was 371.66 kg . m−3, overall volumetric shrinkage was 9.12 % and compressive strength parallel to the grain was 42.10 MPa. Due to the low age of trees results are valid for juvenile wood.Wood properties were examined along the stem radius. Tree ring width was increasing to the age of 12th year subsequently it was constant. Tree ring width was constant along the entire stem radius. Wood density, overall volumetric shrinkage and compressive strength parallel to the grain were increasing in the direction from pith to bark.