Variation in the Ovendry Wood Density of Ten Prairie Tree Species

Abstract

Ovendry wood density (g/cm 3 ) determinations were made on disk subsamples collected from 600 trees belonging to 10 major softwood and hardwood species of the three Prairie provinces. Ten disks were obtained from each tree stem: four from equally spaced sections of the merchantable stem, three from similar sections along the nonmerchantable stem, and three additional disks obtained at stump height, breast height, and near the top. The relationships between specific gravity and associated tree variables such as age, height, diameter, and volume were examined. Because of variations in the wood density at relative heights within a species, weighted wood density was determined for the entire tree stem, and prediction equations were derived for its estimation from the wood density at breast height. The variability of wood density increased significantly for the older stem sections near the base but was insignificant for the more recent eight growth toward the tip.