Abstract:

The transverse shrinkage (tangential and radial) of Chinese Fir( Cunninghamia lanceolata )and I-72 poplar( Populus euramericana cv. `San Martina I-72/58')at different directiens (north or south), tree heights and radial directions were studied in the paper. The effect of the three factors mentioned above on the transverse shrinkage was analyzed to provide the scientific data for the appropriate processing and utilization of Chinese Fir and poplar plantation wood. The results showed that there was no significant difference of shrinkage (tangential and radial) between the samples from north and south directions for Chinese Fir and I-72 poplar. There was significant difference of tangential shrinkage at different heights for Chinese Fir and I-72 poplar, while no significant difference for radial shrinkage. For both species the shrinkage in radial and tangential direction was decreased gradually from bark to pith, with the similar trend as basic density.

Key words: plantation wood, Chinese Fir, I-72 poplar, radial shrinkage, tangential shrinkage