Effect of elevation on wood density of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis lipsky): A case study from Daday

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between oven-dry wood density and the site factor of elevation in Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky). The research was conducted in three natural stands located at different elevation zones (low: 250–500 m, mid: 800–1100 m, high: 1400–1700 m) within the Daday Forest District of Kastamonu province in Turkey. From each elevation group, wood samples were collected from 10 trees and analyzed according to the TS 2472 standard for oven-dry density. The data were evaluated using ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. Results revealed a strong negative correlation between elevation and wood density (r = –0.84; p < 0.001). The mean oven-dry density was 0.712 g/cm³ at low elevation, decreasing to 0.617 g/cm³ at high elevation. These findings demonstrate that wood quality depends not only on species but also on site conditions, offering valuable insights for silvicultural planning and industrial wood production.

Keywords

• wood density
• elevation
• oriental beech

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