THE EFFECT OF AGE AT HARVEST ON BENDING AND TENSILE PROPERTIES OF LOBLOLLY-PINE FROM THE COASTAL-PLAIN

The effect of rotation age on strength and stiffness of lumber produce d from unthinned loblolly pine stands in the Coastal Plain of Georgia was examined. Six stands representing 22-, 28-, and 40-year-old roatio ns were sampled. A stratified random sample of trees 8 to 16 inches in diameter at breast height was selected from each stand and processed into lumber. Dimension lumber from the study was tested for strength a nd stiffness in both static bending and tension according to the provi sions of the American Society for Testing and Materials standard metho d D 198. The strength and stiffness in both bending and tension genera lly increased with increasing rotation age.