Heartwood development and its relationship to growth in Pinus radiata

Summary The rate of heartwood development was examined at four heights in stems of Pinus radiata D. Don from 18 mature stands in south-eastern Australia. While the diameter of heartwood tended to be greatest at stump and breast heights, formation commenced earlier (i.e. with fewer sapwood rings) and/or progressed more rapidly 10–20 m above ground level. Appreciable variation in heartwood development was detected between trees in the same and different stands, with both environmental and genetic factors apparently important. Regression analyses involving three parameters of heartwood development (number of rings, diameter and percentage area) and stem characteristics including height, diameter and ring width suggested that heartwood formation is affected little by tree vigour in the post-juvenile growth phase. Rather it seems that the rate at which annual increments are included in heartwood is largely fixed for any particular height level and stem. Thus the amount (but not necessarily the percentage) or heartwood in a stem is substantially dependent on diameter growth early in tree life.The expert technical assistance of Mr. R. Colley is gratefully acknowledged. Valuable assistance in the measurement of heartwood dimensions was also provided by Ms. V. Kurz and Mr. C. Slatyer. Dr. R. K. Bamber and Mr. A. P. Wilkins offered particularly helpful advice