Stoncelis, Adomas

9 Scots pine halfsibs families which differs in wood hardness were estimated in series of five field trials established in 1983. Core samples of 15 trees from each family were collected at dbh 1,3 m. Dried core samples were glued and polished. Wood quality was checked under a microscope. Tree-ring width, wood density, tree ring structure was tested by Win Dendro and Lignostation dendrochronological equipment and software Ligno Station 2.30. We found that the average width of Scots pine ring mostly depend on habitat productivity and stocking which increases when productivity decreases because of slower growing of field trials. Mean annual pine ring width decreases from 1,76 mm to 2,67 mm in habitat Na, Nb and Nc at 30 years of growing. The highest wood density was found in habitat Nb (441 kg/m3) and slightly decreased upward direction of habitat productivity (up to 391 kg/m3). Individual heritability for wood hardness was 0.32, family heritability – 0.72. Annual pine rings width respectively 0,11 and 0,70, wood hardiness 0.04 and 0.36. Wood hardiness at single tree level correlated only with annual pine ring width (0,18), at family level correlated only with wood density (0.13). Correlation varried in different habitats. Annual pine ring width depened on habitat 14% and depended on family 5%. Wood density mostly depended on habitat (17%), the family did not infuence the wood density. Wood hardiness significantly depended on habitat (39%) and replication of field trials.

200 Norway spruce halfsib families from 10 main Lithuanian populations were tested at age 33 in series of four field trials established in 1983. Stem diameter and wood hardness were studied. Wood hardness was tested by using Pilodyn 6J Forester. Mean values of Pilodyn pin penetration for spruce populations varied from 20.7 to 24.4 mm. Mean values of halfsib families varied from 18.5 to 29.0 mm. Correlation estimates at population level ranged from 0.18 to 0.89 (p<0.001) with the average of 0.54. Correlations of halfsib families at different sites were weaker and ranged from 0.29 to 0.44 with the average of 0.36. Site effect on wood hardness was significant and pronounced while replication effect was much weaker. Population effect was not significant. Variance component of family effect was 5.9±0.9 % (p<0.001).