Wood Quality of Chestnut: Relationship between Ring Width, Specific Gravity, and Physical and Mechanical Properties

This article investigates the relationships between ring width (expressed as ring width class) and cambial age (expressed as chronological class) with specific gravity, modulus of rupture (MOR), compressive strength, and shrinkage. On those stands located on volcanic soils, it was found that when moving from the first ring width class (≤2 mm) to the seventh class (≥7 mm), a total decrease in specific gravity of 12.7% was observed, accompanied by a 19.5% decrease in compressive strength and a 22.8% decrease in MOR. With an increase in tree age, as expressed by the chronological class, there was a general decrease in the values of specific gravity, MOR, and compressive strength. It was therefore determined that chronological class is related to ring width, while specific gravity can predict MOR and compressive strength values for trees grown at volcanic sites. The results for a stand grown on calcareous soils showed a different trend. Furthermore, it was confirmed by cross-variance analysis that there was a correlation between ring width and chronological class.