The velocity of sound wave propagation was used to predict lumber stiffness of loblolly pine plantations. The trees with the potential of producing lumber with high and low stiffness can be identified by sound wave velocity alone; the upper quartile and the lower quartile of the population can be sorted by high and low velocity, respectively. However, the trees with medium velocity may yield lumber with high, medium, or low stiffness. For logs with the same velocity, the lumber stiffness from the butt log is higher than the upper logs. The velocity of sound wave propagation is a useful tool for predicting lumber stiffness of plantation grown loblolly pine.
Publication Source: Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium on Nondestructive Testing of Wood University of Western Hungary, Sopron, 13-15 September 2000, ISBN 963 7180 88 5 Publisher: University of Western Hungary, H 9400 Sopron, P.O.Box 132, FAX: +36 99 311 103
