Establishing Timber as a preferred material for construction

IUFRO All Division 5 Meeting 2007

Investigating the effect of tree breeding on the timber properties of Sitka spruce

Paul McLean

Shaun Mochan

John Moore

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Harvesting United Kingdom Sitka spruce

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Background

Aim to increase yield without loss in quality.

Investigated progeny selected primarily for:

• Stem straightness• Vigour of growth• Density (pin penetration)• Queen Charlotte Island (QCI) control

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Materials Overview

Scientific Tree Industrial Tree

Discs Radial & Clears

Strips Logs & Discs

Radial Strips & Battens

–

48 Trees 144 Trees

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Measurements on standing

trees

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Scientific Trees!

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Less Branches - Straighter Stems

0 20 40 60 80 100

No of Dead Branches

Density

Vigour

Straightness

QCI

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Improved Yield

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Density Vigour Straightness Control

Pred

icte

d Yi

eld

m3/

ha

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Comparable Stiffness – Structural Sized Timber

Density Vigour Straightness QCI

Mo

du

lus

of

Ela

stic

ity

kN/m

m2

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Clear Wood Properties

MFA DENSITY

STIFFNESS STRENGTH

QCI

VIGOUR

STRAIGHT.

DENSITY

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

What Have We Seen…

A successful increase in volume

Future breeding for timber quality should be possible

The research didn’t end here…

Event/seminar title

Strategic Integrated Research in Timber

Acknowledgements

Scottish Funding Council

BBSRC Forest Research STFI – Packforsk HOWIES Forest

Products Everyone who lent a

hand

THANKS!