Received 26 November 2009, accepted 29 March 2010.

Abstract

Place effect of site variation on growth rate, physical and mechanical properties of Pinus eldarica was studied. For this purpose, the number of fifteen normal trees from three sites (Valardeh, Bandebon, Benafeshdeh) located in the forestry of Western Mazandran (North of Iran) was selected. Disks and logs of wood were sawn at breast height. The testing samples were prepared in radial axis of the tree from pith to the bark to determine growth rate and physical characteristics from mature wood to measure mechanical properties. The wood from Benafeshdeh site (Site 3) had a high growth rate and low density and mechanical strength properties. The average annual ring width (growth rate) varied between the sites from 2.56±1.73 mm to 4.15±2.37 mm. The mean oven dry density was 0.454±0.068 g cm^-3, basic density 0.40±0.062 g cm^-3 and volume shrinkage 11.25±2.35% in this material. The average weight density of the test samples (p₁₂) was 0.531±0.065 gcm^-3, modulus of elasticity (MOE) 59988.47±19479.89 kg cm^-2, modulus of rupture (MOR) 714.82±212.92 kg cm^-2 and maximum crushing stress 439.69±120.26 kg cm^-2 in mature wood. In addition, effect of growth rate on the physical and mechanical properties of pine wood was observed.

Key words: Pinus eldarica, site, density, growth rate, physical properties, mechanical strength.