Investigation on wood properties of eldar pine and its relations to soil chemical and physical characteristics (in western of Mazandarn province platation)

Abstract

This study examined the effects of altitude and soil characteristics on wood properties of Eldar pine and soil characteristics in western of Mazandran forest. For this purpose, nine normal pine trees was selected from three classes of altitude 500, 1200, and 1400 m, which located in Chaloos region. Disks were cut at breast height for each of trees. Testing samples were taken in radial position from the pith to the bark to determine wood properties such as oven dry density, wood basic density, and annual ring width. For each of tress in three different altitudes, four soil profiles of 20-40cm depth was taken to examine soil physical and chemical properties include clay, silt, sand, pH, Mn, fe, cu, zn, P, and K. Then relationship between the soil and wood properties were investigated with Pearson correlation and multiple correlations. Results of soil and wood properties indicated that by increasing altitude, the amount of annual ring width was increased, and the wood density was decreased, while the clay, Mn, fe, and Cu content in altitude 1200m, silt, Zn and K in lower altitude and P and sand in higher altitude is higher than other altitudes. Among of above variables, only the effect of clay, sand, P and Fe of soils on the wood different properties by Pearson correlation. The relationship between soil and wood properties by forward stepwise regression indicated that

Keywords

• Pinus eldarica Medw
• annual ring width
• wood density
• tree height
• soil physical properties
• soil chemical properties