Effect of plantation spaceing on trunk and fiber biometric properties of (Acer velutinum L.) in Shastkalateh forest of Gorgan

This research was carried out to study the effect of plantation spacing on trunk and fiber biometric properties of Acer velutinum L. in Shastkalateh forest of Gorgan. For this purpose، 4 trees were cut from 3 spacings including 1×1، 1. 5×1. 5 and 2×2 meters from the Research and Educational Forest of Agricultural and Natural Resources University of Gorgan (Shastkalateh، Gorgan). Then 3 disks were cut from each tree at breast height (1. 30 meters)، 50% and 75% of the stem height. At first some factors such as the height and annual diameter growth of trees were measured. Then، length، total diameter، lumen diameter، thickness of fiber walls and also slenderness، Runkle and flexibility ratios were measured. Finally analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with spaceings. between trees as a variable factor. Result obtained from measuring the average length، total diameter and thickness of fiber walls and comparing them with different spacigs did not indicate any significant difference. However، it was observed that after increasing the spacing، fiber length was increased but the total diameter and thickness of fiber wall were decreased. Also after increasing the spacing slenderness and flexibility ratios increased whereas runkel ratio decreased. In this research، enough evidences was not found to confirm a significant relationship between plantation spacing and fiber biometric properties. However، as the tress were still in their juvenile ages (12 years old)، further research will be possible.