Basic Density and Fiber Biometry Properties of Hornbeam Wood in Three Different Altitudes at Age 12

This study was carried to the influence of altitude above sea level on the wood density, fiber biometry and morphological properties of hornbeam wood (Carpinus betulus L.). A total of 15 normal hornbeam trees were sampled from three different altitudes include 300 m (low altitude), 750 m (intermediate altitude) and 1200 m (high altitude) in Mashelak forests (Noshahr province-north of Iran). Disks were taken at 25%, 50% and 75% of stem height. Results of ANOVA showed that the altitude and height of tree had effect on the wood density and fiber biometry properties of hornbeam. The interaction effects between altitude and height of tree on the wood density were not significant, but these effects on fiber properties were significant. With increase of altitude from sea level, the wood density, cell wall thickness and rankle ratio values were increased and the fiber length, fiber diameter, fiber lumen diameter, slenderness ratio and flexibility ratio values were decreased. In addition, the values of the wood density, fiber length, fiber diameter, cell wall thickness and rankle ratio were decreased with increasing of stem height. While the highest and lowest of fiber lumen diameter values were found in 75% and 50% of height tree, respectively.