Second-growth western hemlock product yields and attributes related to stand density

The effect of stand density on 90-year old western hemlock tree and wood ch aracteristics was determined to assist foresters with stand density managem ent. Trees were selected from three Vancouver Island stands. Stand densitie s were 580 and 930 stems per hectare (sph) at two northern locations, and 9 30 sph at a stand 500 km south. Mean breast-height wood densities were .42, .45 and .47 respectively. The 580 sph stand trees had fastest early growth rate, were taller, larger in diameter, had largest branches, and highest t aper. The southern 930 sph stand had the slowest early rate-of growth. Test ed in bending, lumber mean modulus-of-elasticity (MOE) and mean modulus-of- rupture (MOR) differed significantly by stand density, and average early gr owth rate. The 580 sph stand had the lowest proportions of high grade struc tural lumber and the lowest MOE and MOR values. Structural properties of ve neer, LVL, and small clears were consistent by stand with those of lumber. Lumber machined as well, and treated more easily than old growth hemlock. K raft and TMP pulp properties did not differ significantly by stand. Kraft p ulp yields were 1 to 3 percent higher than those published for western heml ock.