Tree and Stand Variations of the Stress-Wave Velocity of Stems in Lithocarpus Edulis Trees Growing in Coppiced Stands in Chiba, Japan

• Published in: Journal of sustainable forestry Vol. 40; no. 8; pp. 767 - 778
• Main Authors: Tanabe, Jun, Ishiguri, Futoshi, Kuroda, Satoru, Endo, Ryota
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 17.11.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acoustic velocity; Diameters; Forestry; hardwood wood quality; Hardwoods; Height; Lithocarpus edulis; Resource utilization; Stems; Sustainability; Sustainable forestry; Trees; variance component; Velocity; Wave velocity; Japan
• ISSN: 1054-9811; 1540-756X
• DOI: 10.1080/10549811.2020.1818583

The management of abandoned coppiced forests is an important issue for sustainable forestry. Lithocarpus edulis (Fagaceae) is a rarely-used hardwood species in Japan, although it is an abundant and fit species for resource utilization. This study aimed to clarify the variation of the stress-wave velocity (SWV) of stems among and within stands of L. edulis. The stem height, stem diameter, and SWV were measured for the coppices grown in five stands from the Boso Peninsula in Chiba, Japan. Significant differences among the stands were observed for all traits. A linear mixed model revealed that the tree variance component accounted for more than 30% of the stem height and diameter and 40% of SWV, suggesting the large contribution that tree effects have on the variation of these traits. This tree effect is favorable to improve these traits genetically. Compared to size traits, the stand age had a minimal effect on stand-level SWV values, and younger stands tended to show high SWV values. Although the number of coppiced stems per stump had a negative impact on the stem diameter, it showed no effect on SWV, suggesting that early thinning is also important to achieve both a desirable radial growth and wood quality.