The aim of the study was to increase knowledge on differences in mechanical properties of Scots pine sawn timber from selected log procurement areas in Finland and north-western Russia and to study the prediction of bending strength and modulus of elasticity, which are important properties in the construction uses of sawn timber. Support to the optimal sourcing of roundwood for structural products of sawmills as well as for the development of manufacturing value added products by improving sorting and grading of logs and sawn timber was targeted for, the sorting being based either on log measurements or log and sawn timber measurements together. The study was a continuation to the corresponding study of Norway spruce.

Pine logs and centre yield sawn pieces (N = 934) were collected from five geographic growing regions, three from Finland and two from Russia. The levels and statistically significant differences in local longitudinal modulus of elasticity (E12) and bending strength (fm,12) of sawn timber were determined, along with several physical characteristics of sawn timber and logs. Multiple linear regression models were calculated to predict E12 and fm,12 using sawn timber and log properties as predictors, and it was analysed if any regional differences remained thereafter.

Generally, the levels of f_m,12 were much higher in Finland than in Russia, being highest in northern Finland and lowest in Novgorod region, albeit the large within-region variations. For E₁₂, the variations between the regions were somewhat smaller, but more fertile growing conditions seemed to provide sawn timber with lower E₁₂. Air-dry density, knot area ratio (KAR) and annual ring width (RW) were the best predictors for E12, and E12, KAR and RW for fm,12. If only log properties, only sawn timber properties or log and sawn timber properties together were considered, 60%, 76% or 77% of the variation in fm,12 could be accounted. Generally, higher coefficients of determination were reached for pine in this study than for spruce in the previous study. Compared with the earlier studies on Scots pine, the bending properties were somewhat lower, and the geographic variation was more obvious, more systematic and larger.

Key words: Bending strength, model, modulus of elasticity, multiple linear regression, Pinus sylvestris, sawn timber