Height growth for assessing core–outerwood transition on Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra Spanish stands

Abstract

One of the characteristics of great relevance in the wood quality in Spanish coniferous forests due to growth conditions is the presence of corewood. This wood area presents properties and characteristics inferior to those in outerwood, which are more appropriate for certain uses. In plantations with short rotations, the percentage of juvenile timber is higher, and the profitability of the wood can be affected due to its unsuitability for high added value applications, such as structural. This work focuses on determining whether the use of models of current annual increase in height can provide suitable estimations of the year or transition zone between corewood and outerwood. This knowledge will contribute to analyze the expected yield of quality wood. The material studied is from Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) and Pinus nigra Arnold subsp. nigra (black pine) pure stands. Densitometry results showed that the corewood–outerwood transition year could not be predicted by tree height functions.