Evaluation of two acoustic methods of MOE determination for young hybrid larch wood (Larix x eurolepis Henry). Comparison with a standard method by static bending.

Based on 384 normalised specimens sampled in 32 hybrid larch stems from a 1 4-year-old clonal test, wood quality was evaluated by measuring the modulus of elasticity by means of two acoustic testing methods, the major point of interest being the speed of handling. Results were compared to those given by a third method, chosen as the reference one and described by the French norm NF B 51-016. Furthermore, specific gravity and ring width were measur ed and presence of compression wood noted. Simple regression equations gave close relationships between each of the two acoustic methods and the refer ence one. This could lead to interesting applications in the field of large scale systematic tests. Finally, the impact of some factors (clone, ramet in clone, compression wood, density and ring width) were evaluated by the r esidue distribution around the regression line. ((C) Inra/Elsevier, Paris).