Wood properties of Larix sibirica naturally grown in Tosontsengel, Mongolia

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe wood properties were examined for Larix sibirica naturally grown in Tosontsengel, Mongolia. The dynamic Young's modulus of the logs ranged from 6.31 to 9.65 GPa. The mean values of wood properties were as follows: water-extracted basic density = 0.44 g cm−3, air-dry density = 0.59 g cm−3, shrinkage at 1% moisture content change in the radial and tangential directions = 0.18% and 0.32%, modulus of elasticity = 11.24 GPa, modulus of rupture = 102.4 MPa, compressive strength parallel to the grain = 53.1 MPa, and mass loss by Fomitopsis palustris and Trametes versicolor = 10.4% and 18.6%. Mass loss in the heartwood was higher than that in the sapwood, indicating that the larger mass loss values in the heartwood of L. sibirica might be related to the larger amount of arabinogalactan.