Research Brief #16

The Effect of Pruning, Spacing, and Thinning on the Wood Quality of Loblolly Pine
(La Tech FPL-1.3)
Louisiana Forest Products Development Center
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA

Research Objectives

The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether pruning, spacing, and thinning affect the age/ring number of transition from juvenile to mature wood, the proportion of stem cross-sectional area composed of juvenile wood, and the lumber grade yield in plantation-grown loblolly pine.

Synopsis of Results

Field sampling of a loblolly plantation at the Hill Farm Research Station in Homer, Louisiana provided cross-sectional disks for studies related to juvenility period and juvenile wood proportion in mature stems. Logs were transported to a regional sawmill for breakdown into lumber. Grading was done according to SPIB standards. Resulting data will be combined with two previous harvests from the same plantation.

Progress

Further measurements and summarization of data are in progress.

Researchers

Mark D. Gibson, Associate Professor, Wood Utilization
George A. Grozditis, Research Associate
Louisiana Forest Products Laboratory
Louisiana Tech University
Ruston, Louisiana

Terry R. Clason, Professor
Forest Physiology Hill Farm Research Station
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
Homer, Louisiana

Target Group

Louisiana forest managers and wood products manufacturers interested in wood quality and its effect on wood processing.