Effects of geo-ecological conditions on larch wood variations in the North European part of Russia (Arkhangelsk region)

The present study examines the macrostructure and density of larch wood and possible influences on the productivity of larch stands. The studies were conducted in the middle and sub-tundra taiga in the Arkhangelsk region. The selected trees were of the same age and diameter at breast height. In all sample plots the average annual ring width varied from 0.68 to 0.93 mm, the average content of latewood was about 29.7-35.1% and the average wood density of these old Siberian larch trees was 572 (500-698) kg.m-3. There were no significant differences between sample plots in terms of the latewood content, density and annual ring width of the growth rings. Wood macrostructure of larch wood has the same values in forests growing in the sub-tundra and middle taiga. A possible explanation for this is the location of these stands in the karst landscape, which possesses abundant mineral nutrition. Geological factors are surpassing the influence of climatic factors and contribute to the formation of productive larch stands in the sub-tundra taiga in the European part of Russia.