Evaluation of mechanical properties of green wood of Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea L.)

Italian stone pine is a very distinct, big size tree developing a characteristic dense, flat-topped or umbrella-shaped head. It is the most widespread species along the roads of the Tuscany coast, with problems due to plant age, to summer and winter drop branches, to stem failure or tree fall and to wide extension of the root system. This study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the biomechanic parameters necessary to support the visual and analytical techniques currently used for tree safety evaluation. Some mature pine trees were chosen in different places of the Tuscany coast and submitted to a classic visual tree assessment. Stem cross sections were cut in correspondence of the instrumental analyses, wood specimens were prepared and compression tests were performed by recording the response in terms of the resistant strain. The MOE values (1.49 - 2.39 GPa) significantly differed from those observed in other species.