CONCLUSIONS
Property mapping of trees clearly reveals large variations
with location within the tree. This was further extended to
compare the MOE variation within trees from different
stands. Naturally, differences were observed between the
maps, with particular interest in the differences in their
magnitude and their patterns. These maps show how
growth conditions affect property variation within a tree and
can be applied to silvicultural treatments to improve tree
properties; however, the construction of such maps
requires much time and expense with traditional test
methods.
It has been shown that NIR spectroscopy, in conjunction
with multivariate analysis, can be used to predict fundamental wood properties with excellent results, and in a
much smaller time scale than by traditional testing. With
further advances in technology, the development of a handheld portable field unit capable of assessing all major
wood properties on standing timber may be possible.