Abstract:

The planting density experiment of Masson pine has proceeded for 15 years at Longli Forest Farm in Guizhou Province. The result of the experiment showed that planting density had no obvious effect on height growth of the trees. Mean DBH and individual volume decreased with increase of the density, and ratio of height to DBH and growing stock increased. The differences among treatments were significant at 5% or 1% level after 6 or 8 years old. The percentage of out-turn of small log decreased obviously with increase of density, and the percentage of out turn and volume of the short small log and fuel wood all increased with increase of the density. The differences among trentments were significant at 1% level. The growth ring width of wood decreased with increase of the density, and percentage of late wood and basic density of wood increased on the whole. The differences among treatments were obvious for the ring width and the percentage of late wood. The planting density had no significant effect on the fiber morphology and chemical composition of Masson pine wood, and the both all accorded with the basic demands of pulping and papermaking at 15 years old. The economic benefits of 2500, 4444 and 10000 stem/hm², were better than others among 5 treatments. Based on comprehensive analysis the effects of the planting density on growth, log volume, papermaking characteristics of wood and economic benefit of Masson pine plantations, the initial planting densities on medium sites in the Central Part of Guizhou were as follows: 2000～2500 stem/hm² for cultivating building timber of large or middle diameter, 3500～4444 stem/hm² for pulp wood, and about 6000 stem/hm² for fiber board and particle board.

Key words: Masson pine, Planting density, Growth of stand, Papermaking characteristics of wood, Economic benefit