Mass and density of pine pulpwood harvested in selected stands from the forest experimental station in Murowana Goślina

The aim of this analysis was to determine the mass of pine pulpwood, harvested from fresh-cutting trees. Analyses were made in four pine stands (aged 45, 47, 55 and 56). In each plot a total of 30 model trees were selected from among trees to be felled as a part of planned intermediate cutting. The average mass of one log of 2.5 m length ranged from 26.3 kg to 44.0 kg, at a mean of 33.9 kg. The total volume of timber harvested was 21.68 m3 with a total mass of 21 222.4 kg. When converted to 1 m3 the mass of timber was assessed at 979 kg. The ratio of actual density (979 kg/m3) to tabular density (740 kg/m3) was thus 1.3:1. As a result the actual mass of timber is approx. 30% higher than the mass that may be estimated based on the tabular density of wood assessed for the purpose of road transportation. At the stem profi le the mass of logs decreases (which is the result of stem diameter decreasing with height), while green density increases. The increase in green density of logs is probably the result of changes in porosity and moisture content of wood, as well as changes in the proportion and properties of bark.