• Shottafer, J.E.
  Life Sciences and Agriculture Experiment station, University of Maine at Orono
  
• Kutscha, N.P.
  Life Sciences and Agriculture Experiment station, University of Maine at Orono
  
• Hale, R.A.
  Life Sciences and Agriculture Experiment station, University of Maine at Orono
  

The first phase of the study was concluded to evaluate the static bending and compression parallel to the grain properties evident within and among material from 19 plantation-grown red pine trees, and to determine what effect position in the tree, latewood percentage, fibril angle, specific gravity and rate of growth might have on these mechanical properties.

The second phase of the study was conducted concurrently with the first to determine what effect position in the tree and specific gravity might have on the characteristics of red pine Kraft pulp. Physical strength tests and yield determinations were made using pulped material from selected positions along the bole of the same sample trees evaluated in the first phase of the investigation.

The third investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of three dry kiln schedules, representing a wide range of conventional kiln temperatures, on the visual grade characteristics and on the static bending, compression parallel to the grain, shear parallel to the grain and toughness strength properties of plantation-grown red pine. Material was again selected so as to reflect the effect of tree position in its response to experimental treatment.