The effect of stem height on the physical and mechanical properties of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) wood grown in trabzon-maçka region.

In this study, the effect of tree stem height on the physical and mechanical properties of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) wood was investigated.In the experiments, the three trees were obtained from Trabzon-Maçka region were used. The selection of the experimental trees, preparation of the test specimens and application of the test procedures were done according to relevant standards.For the physical properties; air and oven dry specific gravity, volume density value, wood water relatives, for the mechanical properties; compression strength parallel to the grain, static bending strength, modulus of elasticity for bending strength, impact strength and value of Brinell hardness were determined. Moreover the variation of all the wood properties was determined related to the stem height.The results were compared with the obtained data the same species and tree species in the same family.According to the test results, European larch wood has light, soft and medium quality properties. Its wood-water relatives and compression strength parallel to the grain is ?medium?, static bending strength, modulus of elasticity for bending strength and impact strength are little. As stem height increases, specific gravity and mechanical properties decrease. According to the obtained data of this study, the proposals were given about use of European larch [Larix decidua Mill.] wood.