The stem wood quality is caused by several parameters, such as wood density, tree height and diameter, also the branch parameters, stem straightness and others. Spike knot branches, like all other branches, reduce the strength of sawn products, especially if the bark is also penetrated. It is known that the formation of spike knots branches depends at least in part on genetics and on climate. Spike knots branches in the lower part of the stem do not make them completely unsuitable for sawn logs, but they reduce the yield of such logs, since the logs will be shorter, due to the removal of the part of the log with the spike knot branch. In Lithuania, Scots pine stands cover almost 35 percent of the forested area. This study identifies the influence of primary stand density and intensity of thinning’s on stem spike knots branch parameters and stem straightness of Scots pine trees.
Keywords: Scots pine, spike knot, stem straightness, spacing, Lithuania
Authors
Lina Beniušienė
Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of forestry, Lithuania
Marius Aleinikovas
Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of forestry, Lithuania
Benas Šilinskas
Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of forestry, Lithuania
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