Wood Properties of Red Spruce in Maine on Soils of Three Drainage Classes

Dominant red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), average age 55 years at breast height, were sampled on soils of three drainage classes in north central Maine. Specific gravity, radial growth rate, alcohol/benzene soluble extractables content, and lignin content were determined from 12-mm increment cores.Mean specific gravity of trees on the poorly drained soil was 0.03 higher (8%) than that of trees on the somewhat poorly drained soil and 0.02 higher (5%) than specific gravity of trees on the combination of moderately well and well-drained soils. Growth rate was 1.5 mm/yr on both the somewhat poorly drained soil and on the moderately well and well-drained soils. Growth rate on the poorly drained soil was 1.3 mm/yr. Specific gravity decreased as growth rate increased, although the correlation was weak (r = -0.24). Extractables and lignin contents did not differ among drainage classes