Pitch pockets in Picea abies: Variation in amount,number and size within trees and within a stand |
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| Abstract: | The occurrence of pitch pockets in a stand of Picea abies L.] Karst, was studied, focusing on variations in amount, number and size of pitch pockets within trees and between trees from the centre and the border part of a stand. Pitch pockets were more abundant in the border part, which had a lower site index and was also more exposed to the wind. The highest frequency of pitch pockets was noted for sawn faces near the pith of the tree from around the half tree height. The size of pitch pockets on sawn faces is described by two exponential functions. In both parts of the stand there was a similar increase of pitch pocket length with increasing distance from the pith, but generally trees in the border part had longer pitch pockets. In order to determine the relative amount of pitch pockets accurately at different distances from the pith and to explain the variation within and between trees, further analyses are necessary. |
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| Keywords: | Drought Picea abies [L ] Karst pitch pockets wind exposure wood defects |
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