Modelling Elasto-Mechanical Properties of Noble Fir and Giant Sequoia from Macroscopic to Product Size Level

Climate change is leading to increased mortality in spruce-dominated forests in Central Europe. Noble fir (Abies procera Rehd.) and giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum (Lindl.) Buchholz) are characterised as climate-adaptive tree species. Therefore, the suitability of these wood species from the wood technology perspective is investigated. Defect-free specimens and lamellas are subjected to bending tests. Non-destructive tests (eigenfrequency measurements, visual grading) are performed and property influencing wood characteristics recorded. The results for the investigated species are lower than from comparative studies on spruce (30 – 59 %). Multivariate models generated using the parameters listed above to predict elasto-mechanical properties show very good model quality (adj. R² = 0.93 - 0.97), with exception of the giant sequoia lamella bending strength model (adj. R² = 0.30).