Effects of silvicultural practices on the quality of black locust wood {Robinia pseudoacacia L.)

摘要

Black locust {Robinia pscudoacacia L.) is indigenous to Eustern and central USA. The species was introduced to Europe by Robin in 1601. It is remarkable that Hungary, which belongs to the smaller countries on the Continent, has the largest area of Black locust forests (about 300,000 ha). Its quick spread is due to its outstanding strength properties, durability and suitability for various utilisations. In several European countries interest in Black locust wood has grown, because it can substitute certain tropical species (e. g. Teak, Bongossi). Black locust forests are harvested at the age of 30-35 years in Hungary, the volume of Black locust timber harvested annually is 2 million m~3. Unfortunately the quality of wood is extremely inhomogencous. That is the reason why we investigated the relationship of silvicultural practices on wood quality. We designated 20 sample areas of different Black locust forests in Hungary and felled 108 sample logs for the investigation of the anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of the wood.