A Study on Timber Physical and Mechanical Properties of New Aigeiros Clones

Thirty individual trees of 10 five year old fast growing, new Aigeiros clones were felled from an experimental plantation in Linhai, Zhejiang Province to make measurements on physical and mehanical properties of the timber. It is showed that the timber density of the poplar is higher than those of 10 year old Cunninghamia lanceolata and Crypotumeria fortunei growing fast in the same region, while the mechanical properties are similar among tree species, there is no significant difference among clones in timber physical properties and there is significant or most significant difference among clones in mechanical properties. It is also revealed that timber density is in close correlation with mechanical properties, while timber properties are independent of DBH. Among the clones tested, clones 367, 366, 370, 1388 and 121 are suitable to be used in the establishment of a short rotation industrial timber forest.