Zmienność wybranych cech makrostruktury i gęstości drewna świerkowego (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) z regla dolnego i górnego

The paper compares the properties of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) wood from stands growing in the lower and upper subalpine forest zone in terms of the tree−ring width, the share of latewood and the wood density. The investigation concerned material originating from plots established within the boundaries of the south−western incidence of spruce in Poland. Plots were located in the Sudety Mts. and in the Carpathians (tab. 1). On each plot fifteen Norway spruces were chosen and increment cores were sampled using the Pressler borer. The surface of the cores was smoothed and the tree−ring width was measured. The latewood zones were determined and the share of latewood was calculated. Then, the cores were divided into 2 cm sections, for which the relative wood density was determined. Tree−rings were wider in trees growing in the lower when compared with those from the upper subalpine forest zone (tab. 2). Weak negative correlation was revealed between the elevation and the tree−ring width (r=–0.308). The latewood share was slightly higher in trees from the upper than those from the lower subalpine forest zone (tab. 2). However, no statistically significant correlation between the latewood share and elevation was recorded. The wood density was slightly lower in trees from the lower than those from the upper subalpine forest zone (tab. 2), but the difference was not statistically significant. The correlation between the wood density and the elevation turned out to be insignificant.