RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY AT ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY, SCOTLAND, UK MSC BY RESEARCH: THE EFFECTS OF SPACING ON CORSICAN PINE TIMBER QUALITY BACKGROUND Concerns have been expressed for a number of years regarding the effects of wide and rectangular spacing on the yield and quality of Corsican pine (Pinus nigra var. maritima) timber grown in Thetford Forest, East Anglia, Great Britain. Although first rotation crops were established at a square spacing of 1.3-1.5 m, rectangular spacings of between 2.5m x 1.8m and 3.0 m x 1.5m, have been used over the past 25 years. Forest Enterprise wish to investigate the effect of this wide rectangular spacing on sawlog quality and sawn timber properties. Funding is available for a one year MSc by research to be carried out at Aberdeen University under the supervision of Dr Alan Petty. PROJECT OUTLINE Objective --------- To investigate the effects of three different spacing treatments on stem straightness, branching characteristics, wood density and juvenile wood formation in Corsican pine grown in Thetford Forest. Work ---- The work will involve: - field visits to Thetford to collect sample tree data - ring width measurements on breast height discs - density assessments of small sample blocks - strength testing of clear wood samples - knot size measurement on nodal discs Duration -------- 1 October 1998 - 31 September 1999 Funding ------- Maintenance grant: 6000 pounds sterling for 12 months Additional funds available to cover Travel and Subsistence during fieldwork. Applications are sought from individuals holding, or expecting to obtain this summer, an Honours degree in Forestry, Wood Science or a related subject. FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT: Elspeth Macdonald Project Leader Silviculture and Timber Quality Forest Research Silviculture (N) Branch Northern Research Station Roslin Midlothian, EH25 9SY SCOTLAND, UK Tel: (44) 0131 445 2176 Fax: (44) 0131 445 5124 e-mail: elspeth.mac@forestry.gov.uk *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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