Some physical properties of sweet chestnut wood grown in Greece

Dises from twenty trees ofCastanea sativa Mill from two stands (Arnea and Morna) were taken at breast height, 5 m and the beginning of crown (crown base). These wood samples were examined for wood density, shrinkage and growth rate. Overall basic density was 0.486 g/cm³ on average at breast height, 0.522 g/cm³ at 5 m height and 0.542 g/cm³ at crown base. Shrinkage to oven dry condition was 0.20% longitudinally, 4.14% radially and 7.15% tangentially, at breast height, 0.19%, 4.47% and 7.33% at 5 m level and 0.20% 4.46% and 7.30 at crown base. The growth rate averaged 2.68 mm/ring at breast height, 2.58 mm/ring at 5 m level and 2.46 mm/ring at crown base.