The Influence of Planting Espacement on the Wood Density and Pulping Properties of<i>Pinus patula</i>

SYNOPSIS Material was sampled from a 60-year-old Pinus patula CCT trial established at the Weza forest, Southern Kwazulu-Natal, to study the effect of planting espacement on wood density, its within-tree variation, and the pulping properties of the wood. Results indicated that differences in growth rate, caused by differences in planting espacement, appear to have a very pronounced effect on overall wood density as well as its within-tree variability. It is important to bear in mind, however, that this result reflects the wood properties of trees grown under conditions that are very different from those created by current management and silvicultural practices. Within the range of normal spacing variation, the effect of spacing on wood density and pulp and paper properties seems to be minimal, suggesting that the enhancement of growth rate by the manipulation of the growing space, has no adverse effect on wood density, and by implication, on any of the factors related to density. The results obtained suggest that within-tree uniformity in fact improves by accelerated growth. Stand density has almost no effect on pulp properties, but manipulation of the rotation age seems to be a very effective way to manipulate the quality of pulpwood view of the good relationship found between the age of a tree and its pulp and paper properties.

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