Classification of Picea abies pulpwood according to wood and stand properties

Different classification systems for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ) pulpwood were compared. The classification systems were applied on truckl oads or single logs in southern Sweden. Truckload classification according to mean annual growth ring width gave better separation of the wood propert ies basic density, juvenile wood and dry matter content, than classificatio n according to harvest type (first thinning, later thinning or final fellin g). The assortments did not have significantly different wood brightness. S orting at log level according to diameter, mean annual growth ring width or number of annual growth rings, which could be done at harvesting, did not drastically improve differentiation of the mean values of the wood properti es or reduce variance compared to truckload classification. The variation i n wood properties within assortments remained large owing to the large vari ation in wood properties between and within logs. Substantial reduction in dry matter variation could be achieved by truckload classification during t he summer.