How the scots pine and beech aging process affects wood

This study investigates the effects of aging trees on wood properties, which are caused by climate change, the withdrawal of coniferous species from Central Europe, and the increased crown sweep in old beech stands. The research was carried out in old tree stands with a high proportion of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) species. The collected material was from five tree pine stands aged between 151 and 182 and three beech stands between the ages of 165 and 184. The samples were subjected to an analysis of wood properties such as density and modulus of elasticity. The results and findings of this study indicate that the Scots pine currently reaches the optimal wood tissue quality at around 80 years of age, which is approximately 20 years earlier than the species’ anticipated cutting age. However, the beech, which reaches maturity at about 120–140 years, reaches the maximal quality of wood tissue already at the age of 80–90 years. Above the age of 110, the quality of beech wood (density and modulus of elasticity) decreases. Moreover, it is necessary to emphasize that the radial trend of wood density does not coincide with the trend of the modulus of elasticity. Additionally, it is found that wood density is not a perfect representation of its mechanical qualities; it can, however, be regarded as a measure of the technical quality of wood tissue. The results indicate that the pine and the beech that grow on the European Plain mature faster and reach technical quality earlier than just a couple of decades before.