ABSTRACT
It is well known that properties such as density and strength vary in both the transverse and the longitudinal direction of a tree, but no information can be found on the variation of moisture transport properties. This lack of information may cause problems in laboratory experiments, when combining material samples to obtain specimen of sufficient size.
In this study sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine (Pinus Silvestris) was extracted from three different locations, considering the distance to pith. The moisture transport properties of the material were examined, using the cup method. When steady-state conditions were reached, fluxes were determined and compared.
For samples taken from the same longitudinal position, there is little variation in the moisture transport properties in the transverse direction. However, for heartwood material closest to the pith, a significant raise in the moisture flux is evident, possibly caused by juvenile wood.
