Wood Density

Wood density, or the dry weight per unit volume of wood, is an important parameter that:

• can be used in allometric equations that estimate tree biomass and carbon stocks from stem diameter values (e.g. W = 0.11 r D^2+c , Ketterings et al. 2001. Reducing uncertainty in the use of allometric biomass equations for predicting above-ground tree biomass in mixed secondary forests, Forest Ecology and Management 146, 199-209).
• indicate the use value (higher density wood tends to burn slower and is thus more useful as firewood or as source of charcoal, it also correlates with strength, although there are better parameters for strength per se).

Wood density varies with tree species, growth conditions and part of the tree measured. The main stem generally has a higher wood density than the branches, while fast growth is generally related to relatively low wood density. For most species the literature thus gives a range with low, medium and high values. In this database we have collected quantitative information from a number of publicly available sources. As you will note, there is no standardization of the moisture content of the (‘air dry’) wood in the densities reported, and some conversions may be needed.

Disclaimer: although we have made efforts to render the information accurately, we can not take responsibility for any consequence of errors in the data quoted.

You can start querying the database using species finder below (you can either using taxon id or common name options):