Utilization potential of naturally regenerated Mongolian Betula platyphylla wood based on growth characteristics and wood properties

Abstract

To preliminary evaluate the potential wood utilization of Sukaczev trees naturally regenerated in Mongolia, growth characteristics (stem diameter and tree height), wood properties (annual ring width, basic density, and compressive strength parallel to grain at the green condition) of core samples, and stress-wave velocity in stems were investigated for trees grown naturally in three different sites in Selenge, Mongolia. trees, naturally grown in Nikko, Japan, were also examined to compare wood properties between the two regions. The mean values of stem diameter, tree height, stress-wave velocity of stems, annual ring width, basic density, and compressive strength parallel to grain at green condition in Mongolian were 17.6 cm, 14.1 m, 3.50 km s, 1.27 mm, 0.51 g cm, and 20.4 MPa, respectively. Basic density and compressive strength were decreased first from the pith, and then gradually increased toward the bark. The wood properties of trees grown naturally in Mongolia were similar to those in trees grown in Japan. Growth characteristics, especially stem diameter, were positively correlated with the stress-wave velocity of stems and basic density. Early evaluation of basic density in trees is possible by using wood located 2 cm from the pith. Basic density at the position from the 1st to the 15th annual ring from the pith showed significant between-site differences in Mongolian . Based on the results, it is concluded that the wood of trees grown in Mongolia may be used for industrial products as well as those from similar species in other countries.Betula platyphyllaBetula platyphyllaBetula platyphyllaB. platyphylla–1–3B. platyphyllaB. platyphyllaB. platyphyllaB. platyphyllaB. platyphylla