he mechanical properties of Pinus taeda L. wood growing in different regions of Caspian forests

The major engineering properties of Pinus taeda L. wood growing in different regions of Caspian forests (North of Iran) was determined. Test materials were selected randomly from Pinus teada tree plantation and the test specimens were prepared according to ASTM D-143 standard. Mechanical and physical properties were measured on both green and air-dried samples (12% moisture content). The results of the measurement were statistically analyzed based on randomized block design and factorial experiment. The influence of specimen locations at different stem heights was examined. Based on the results of this study, statistically significant difference of the measured properties was not observed between the samples collected from different regions. Toughness was not influenced by moisture content, but the compression strength perpendicular to the grain of wet and air-dry specimens was not similar. Mechanical properties of Pinus teada wood grown in Iran is generally of lower quality compare to those in their original habitat.