Evaluation of the Basic Properties for the Korean Major Domestic Wood Species III. Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) in Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do

Wood has different cellular compositions and characteristics depending on the species, and even within the same species, the characteristics vary depending on the growth region. Therefore, in order to use wood effectively, it is essential to understand its properties and the appropriate applications for each species. Korean pine has been widely used for landscaping, fruit trees, and as a construction material both historically and in the present, and it has been a major conifer species planted nationwide since the 1960s. In this study, the anatomical properties (length and width of tracheids, cell wall thickness), physical properties (specific gravity and shrinkage), mechanical properties (bending strength, longitudinal compressive strength, longitudinal tensile strength, shear strength, hardness), and chemical composition (ash, extractives, lignin, sugars) of Korean pine which was produced in Jinan, Jeollabuk-do were evaluated. The results showed that Korean pine is classified as a low specific gravity wood, with relatively low strength, and its chemical composition exhibited trends similar to those of typical conifer species.