Some Properties of Wood in Blackbutt Trees of Two Ages

Abstract

SUMMARY In the wood from trees in a 5-year old plantation and a 30-year old stand of natural regeneration of blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis Sm.) in New South Wales the basic density of the wood, length, wall-thickness and diameter of the fibres, diameters of vessels and percentage of vessel tissue increased with age; and the number of vessels per unit area decreased. In the wood formed at 30 years of age the basic density, length and diameter of fibres, and the diameter of vessels, were less than the species mean, indicating that the trees were not forming mature wood at that age. The suitability of the wood from 30-year old trees for structural timber, paper, joinery and plywood is discussed briefly.