An Investigation of Hygrothermal Treatment and Log Diameter Effects on End Checks of hornbeam Logs

In order to determine hygrothermal treatment and log diameter effects on end checks of hornbeam (carpinus betulus l.) logs, twenty seven hornbeam trees in three diameter classes ( 30 to 40, 40 to 50 and 50 to 60 cm ) were cut down at kheyroodkenar forest in Nowshahr. From each tree, one log by 260cm length was cut and sent to Neka plywood mill. peeling residual core after treatment, number and mean of End checks length and longest check relative factor were determined before and after hygrothermal treatment ( at three level of temperature, 40, 55 and 70 c ) and then data were statistically analyzed. The results have indicated that by increasing the hygrothermal treatment temperature, the mean checks length, longest check relative factor and log waste percent were increased. Furthermore, by increasing the diameter of logs, mean checks length increased and log waste percent decreased but longest check relative factor did,nt change.