Differences in some chemical properties of innerwood and outerwood from five silviculturally different loblolly pine stands

Abstract

The influence of five different silvicultural management strategies on the chemical composition (extractives, Klason lignin, holocellulose, and alpha-cellulose) of loblolly pine outerwood and inner-wood was investigated. Stands that were managed in a plantation setting using growth-accelerating treatments showed higher extractive contents than the other stands. Wood from the juvenile area (innerwood) yielded more extractives than outerwood (mature wood). Holocellulose and alpha-cellulose were not significantly affected by silvicultural practice but were found in a much greater concentration in outerwood than innerwood due to the greater density in the outerwood region. Klason lignin was inversely related to holocellulose.