Intra-Annual Cellular Characteristics and their Implications for Modeling Softwood Density

A numeric wood density model is presented to investigate the potential and actual influence of intra-annual cell characteristics on wood density. The model was designed for conifers with a distinctive early-latewood transition, and its performance was tested with data from Scots pine trees. The model is a helpful tool to understand how and to what extent cell characteristics influence wood density. Latewood percentage proved to be an excellent predictor for wood density, and the interaction of density with cell characteristics is shown.