Provenance-Specific Associations Between Tree Growth and Wood Properties in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Under Common Garden Conditions

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) exhibits substantial variation among provenances in growth and wood properties. This study investigated provenance-related variation after nearly six decades of growth under common-garden conditions and examined relationships between tree growth, wood properties and climatic characteristics of provenance origins. The study was conducted in a provenance experiment established in 1966 at the Rogów Forest Experimental Station in central Poland, comprising 16 provenances and five experimental replicates. Tree height, crown length, trunk volume, diameter at breast height (DBH), wood density, dynamic and static modulus of elasticity (MOEdyn and MOEst), modulus of rupture (MOR) and compressive strength (CS) were analysed. Provenance significantly affected all traits except MOEdyn, whereas experimental replicate significantly affected most traits. Correlations calculated across individual trees were generally weak, while provenance-specific relationships varied substantially in strength and direction. At the provenance level, tree height and DBH showed the strongest associations with climatic characteristics of the provenance origins, particularly altitude, mean annual temperature, precipitation, aridity and growing season length. Selected mechanical properties also showed moderate climatic associations. The results demonstrate persistent provenance-related differentiation under common environmental conditions and indicate that growth performance alone cannot reliably predict wood quality. However, the climatic associations should be considered exploratory and do not constitute direct evidence of local adaptation.