WOOD DENSITY OF PINUS CARIBAEA VAR. HONDURENSIS GROWN IN FIJI

During 1980, increment core samples were collected from Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Barr. & Golf. (Caribbean pine) on 38 sites throughout the afforested areas of the two main islands of Fiji. In addition, 110 trees were felled and sectioned to give information on the relationship between increment core wood density and density of the merchantable stem to 100 mm diameter. Good correlations between increment core and whole-tree values were established. Consistent patterns of wood density increase with tree age and decrease with height in the stem were recorded. Together, tree age and site altitude were shown to account for 85 % of the variation observed in plantations ranging in age from 8 to 25 years. On a 15-year rotation, high altitude (>300m) and low altitude (<300m) sites can produce timber with average basic densities of 515 and 465 kg/m3. Equivalent values for a 25-year rotation would be 540 and 475 kg/m3 respectively