Establishing Timber as a preferred material for construction
IUFRO All Division 5 Meeting 2007
Investigating the effect of tree breeding on the timber properties of Sitka spruce
Paul McLean
Shaun Mochan
John Moore
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Harvesting United Kingdom Sitka spruce
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Background
Aim to increase yield without loss in quality.
Investigated progeny selected primarily for:
• Stem straightness• Vigour of growth• Density (pin penetration)• Queen Charlotte Island (QCI) control
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Materials Overview
Scientific Tree Industrial Tree
Discs Radial & Clears
Strips Logs & Discs
Radial Strips & Battens
–
48 Trees 144 Trees
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Measurements on standing
trees
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Scientific Trees!
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Less Branches - Straighter Stems
0 20 40 60 80 100
No of Dead Branches
Density
Vigour
Straightness
QCI
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Improved Yield
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Density Vigour Straightness Control
Pred
icte
d Yi
eld
m3/
ha
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Comparable Stiffness – Structural Sized Timber
Density Vigour Straightness QCI
Mo
du
lus
of
Ela
stic
ity
kN/m
m2
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Clear Wood Properties
MFA DENSITY
STIFFNESS STRENGTH
QCI
VIGOUR
STRAIGHT.
DENSITY
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
What Have We Seen…
A successful increase in volume
Future breeding for timber quality should be possible
The research didn’t end here…
Event/seminar title
Strategic Integrated Research in Timber
Acknowledgements
Scottish Funding Council
BBSRC Forest Research STFI – Packforsk HOWIES Forest
Products Everyone who lent a
hand
THANKS!
