• Meylan, B.A.
  Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
  

High longitudinal shrinkage, often associated with short-fibered wood of low density and strength, is one of the main difficulties utilizing core-wood, wood from near the pith, in conifers. The rapid growth of plantation grown softwoods and the short rotations that become practicable as a consequence, tend to accentuate the importance of core-wood since it may constitute a large part of total timber production under there circumstances.