Geographical provenance variation of growth and wood properties of 18-year-old Schima superba.

We analyzed the variation patterns of growth and wood properties of 24 different provenances of 18-year-old Schima superba in Jian'ou, Fujian Province. A total of 11 growth and wood indices were measured, including tree height, diameter at breast height, wood basic density and anatomical structure. We analyzed the geographical variation patterns of growth and wood properties, and the provenance areas were divided. Further, the excellent timber provenances were selected according to different uses. The results showed that the variation of growth traits, which was 17.6%-27.3% with mean value of 22.4%, was larger than that of wood properties (7.0%-21.0%, mean 12.7%). Growth properties and some wood properties (fiber length, fiber lumen diameter and fiber cell wall thickness) had significant differences among provenances. Growth traits were not correlated with fiber traits, and they could be selected independently without emphasis on other traits. There was significant correlation between the longitudinal and radial growth indicators of wood properties, but they were not correlated with the wood basic density, which could be selected independently. In addition, the growth and wood properties were significantly influenced by temperature and precipitation, which showed a latitudinal variation pattern. According to Q-type clustering analysis, 24 provenances could be divided into four categories, of which southern provenances from distribution area of S. superba had vigorous growth and supper wood properties. They had smaller microfibril angle, higher maturity, longer fiber length, and thicker fiber cell wall. Finally, five excellent provenances were selected according to pulpwood and building use.