Is wood characteristics mapping an opportunity to optimize the value chain in northwestern Ontario? A case study considering eastern larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) grown in the Thunder Bay district

Wood characteristic mapping was considered as a means for optimizing the value chain of northwestern Ontario tree species. A literature review was completed which investigated the relationship of wood morphology to wood characteristics and end use as related to potential opportunities for northwestern Ontario. It was found that there was insufficient study on the area of interest to make any definitive conclusions; save that research is needed. The literature did, however, provide a general understanding on issues being assessed.;Breast height sampling was found to be unsuitable for wood characteristics mapping since it only provides a general understanding of the grand means for the selected wood properties. The findings indicated that breast height sampling becomes less useful in second growth and small diameter trees, which would have a higher proportion of reaction wood than old growth stands at that axial position.;It was found that eastern larch is unique in that it has the morphology of a softwood but displays wood properties variance patterns which are more consistent with hardwoods. The results of the eastern larch case study indicate that eastern larch has fairly homogeneous wood properties within the stem with respect to end use design criteria and that a predictive model for the species is possible.;Wood characteristics mapping of eastern larch grown in the Thunder Bay district was found to be possible. It was found that mapping of wood characteristics of eastern larch would allow the forest sector of northwestern Ontario to optimize the value and increase the overall value of eastern larch by as much as 31%.;Based on the findings of the literature review, a case study on mapping wood characteristics of eastern larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) grown in the Thunder Bay district was completed. It was found that the greatest variability displayed by eastern larch wood grown in Thunder Bay district was between sites and radial position within trees. In all cases of statistical analysis, variance between sites was significant. Radial variability was significant for all the selected wood properties tested except for MOE perpendicular to the grain. Longitudinal or axial variability was significant in all the selected wood properties tested except for wood density.;Keywords: eastern larch, northwestern Ontario tree species, value chain optimization, wood characteristics mapping, wood morphology, wood products.