Geographic Variations in Specific Gravity of White Pine and Red Pine in Illinois

This report studies the geographic variation of specific gravity of white pine and red pine in Illinois and describes the relationship between selected environmental factors and the specific gravities of these species. Forty-eight white pine plantations and 60 red pine plantations located throughout the state were examined. The height and diameter (dbh) of five dominant trees were measured on each plot. Cores were extracted from the west side of the five sample trees with a 4.5-mm increment borer. The age was determined from ring counts on the increment core. Environmental factors, such as rainfall, trees growing at the bottom of a slope, or trees growing on a north aspect, had a decreasing effect on the specific gravity of the wood samples. The average specific gravity of white pine was lower than that for red pine. The specific gravity of both white pine and red pine was higher in the southern part of Illinois than in the northern part. Thus, when wood yields in pounds for white pine and red pine are computed, it is found that both species will yield more in southern than in northern Illinois. Therefore, if pulp yield is the criterion used to select an area from which white pine and red pine pulpwood is to be obtained, the choice must be the southern and eastern parts of their ranges. But if wood is obtained on a weight basis, the above conclusion is not valid.

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