Is the Quality of the Non-native Douglas-fir Wood Produced in the Czech Forests Comparable to Native Softwoods?

Important physical and mechanical properties were evaluated for Douglas-fir wood produced in a non-native environment. The specimens were obtained from 15 healthy co-dominant trees growing in three different sites located in the Czech Republic; they were studied for density, shrinkage, compression, and bending strength. The average density of the wood was 562.74 +/- 62.47 kg . m(-3) at 12% MC. The total volumetric shrinkage was in line with the respective literature, whereas the compression strength and modulus of rupture were found to be higher than the native Douglas-fir wood as well as several European softwoods. The properties of the wood produced in the Czech forests indicate the possibility of producing Douglas-fir timber of high quality.